'Sick' pharma PSU offers to step in to reduce China drug dependence

HAL can make up to 50 per cent of bulk drugs if it is provided financial assistance to upgrade its infrastructure, the company said

The coronavirus outbreak has exposed India’s vulnerability when it comes to sourcing crucial raw materials for medicines from China, which meets about 70 per cent of the country's bulk drugs, or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), requirement. 

As the Indian government scouts for options to deal with any potential scarcity that can arise in the near future, the country's oldest public sector pharma company, Hindustan Antibiotics (HAL), has submitted a proposal to the government to reduce dependence on China for fermentation-based bulk drugs, it is learnt. 

HAL can make up to 50 per cent of these bulk drugs if it is