In only the second case of anti-dumping duty involving over the counter (OTC) drugs, India has imposed a duty of $3.33 per kg of paracetamol imported from China and Taiwan.
Prior to the imposition of anti-dumping duty on paracetamol, India had imposed duties on 16 pharmaceutical products with analgin as the sole OTC drug to come under the purview of such a duty.
In the final findings notified last week, the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Activities (DGAD) said imports of paracetamol from China and Taiwan have increased from 6.56 lakh kg in 1997-98 to 8.76 lakh kg in 1999-2000. Also, increase in import of paracetamol from the two countries was significantly higher than the overall import of the drug.
The notifications further said exporters have consistently reduced their prices in 1999-2000, the period of investigations, forcing domestic producers to slash prices.
The DGAD concluded that the marketshare of the four petitioners had decreased during the period of investigation.
