Lax industry norms, tough entry process slows pharma exports to China

Currently, pharma shipments make up only 0.3% of the total $13.33 billion exports to China

Exports to China of pharmaceuticals, a sector considered crucial to India’s plans of reducing its trade deficit with its northern neighbour, remain restricted due to lax industry standards, high costs, and regulatory gridlock, according to a latest government report.

After being assured of greater market access by Chinese authorities in March, India had pinned its hopes on boosting its pharma exports from the low $41 million worth of exports registered in 2017-18. But numerous instances of data falsification and inadequate documentation by the industry, and high export costs, delays due to procedural issues are still holding back the sector.

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