Pharma exports registered a 17 per cent increase during the financial year 2008-09 at $8.5 billion (Rs 40,800 crore) as against $7.24 billion (Rs 34,752 crore) in the previous year, said Union commerce minister Anand Sharma
Speaking at the Indo-Africa Pharma Business meet, organised by the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council here on Friday, he said the Indian pharma industry produced 70,000 drugs. Itstood fourth in terms of production volume and exported to 230 countries.
Stating that the government had taken the campaign by some multinational drug companies to project Indian generics as less efficient seriously, he said India was retaliating at the highest level.
“The companies are miffed as India has aided in successfully cutting down the cost of several treatments. The research and infrastructure facilities here are comparable with the best in the world and it is now the pharmaceutical research hub. The government is working to provide a conducive policy environment through flexible patent legislation to make the sector self-reliant,” he said.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry triggered a global debate when Cipla offered a retro-viral drug to Africa at $300 when the same preparation was costing $12,000 in the US.
An independent survey by the Drugs Controller General of India found that 99.7 per cent drugs met the prescribed standards. “Indian drugs are affordable and adaptable to the people in Africa. There is also a need for India and Africa to remain cautious against vested interests of pharma majors in the developed world who are encouraging legislation in Africa to build barriers for import of drugs from countries like India,” he said.
Referring to a recent incident of a shipment, meant for Brazil, being stopped, he said India had taken up the matter with the European Union on the grounds that it violated the spirit of World Trade Organisation tenets. Brazil too had taken up the matter with the EU as the drugs were an alternative to more expensive similar drugs being imported from other countries.
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The government is taking measures to support export-oriented industries, particularly handicrafts, handlooms, gems and jewellery that are labour-intensive. He said there was no need for additional sops to promote exports.
On FDI norms, he said the government was firm that the Indian entity should have a majority share of at least 51 per cent. On the retail side, it is firm on allowing only single brands into India. “There is no rethinking on this.”
The government is launching an interstate e-trading platform, which is being implemented by software major Infosys. The project will be scaled up to entire country by 2015.
On the WTO talks, he said India was still open to negotiations in the interest of developing countries. “Efforts are being made to reenergise the talks,” he said.