China restarts the export of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other raw materials from China to Indian Pharmaceutical industries reported by the BusinessLine. The import was halt by COVID-19 outbreak in China.
R Uday Bhaskar, Director-General, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), told BusinessLine that, “The import of raw materials from China commenced about 10 days ago and we are now receiving them from all provinces except one."
India's API imports are valued at $3.5 billion per year, out of which 70%, worth $2.5 billion, come from China. API imports from the US and Italy are around $400 million. Health ministry and industry were concerned over import ban from China due to lockdown of China over coronavirus outbreak.
Ealier in March, the Indian Government has made amendments in the export policy and restricted export of specified APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and formulations made from 13 APIs for safety purpose due to COVID-19 outbreak in India.
Also, it is reported by Chinese media that they have accelerated exports after India lockdown. Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co told the Global Times that its API export orders were not affected by the virus outbreak, and shipments increased as production resumes.
But, rightnow it is a big challenge for Indian pharma industries to receive parcels or couriours due to complete lockdown of the country. All flights and ships are not allowed to enter in the country and it will be intersting to see how government and industries will response to this challenge.
