New Delhi, March 9 -- A total of 103 applications have been approved for Central financial assistance to MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) drug firms wishing to upgrade to international standards, the government said, addressing an impediment to India's pharma export ambitions.

The total financial support under the government's revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme amounted to Rs.105 crore.

According to the union health ministry, there are around 10,000 drug making firms in India that are classed as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). But only 2,000 of them have the World Health Organization's (WHO) good manufacturing practice certificate.

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