Question : Import of APIs

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Indian Pharmaceutical companies imported more than 70% of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) used for manufacturing medicines in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the countries from which India imports APIs along with the reasons for high import of APIs;
(c) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure regular supply of APIs in view of Covid-19 by enhancing domestic production and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps for setting up Bulk Drug Parks in the country especially in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(e) whether Private Sector will also be involved in setting up Bulk Drug Parks, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this direction; and
(f) the other steps taken by the Government to create a self-reliant ecosystem in the Pharmaceuticals and Health and Hygiene sector by ramping up domestic production which will help in building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat?

(a) & (b): Bulk drugs accounted for 63% of the total pharmaceutical imports in the country during 2019-20. India imports bulk drugs largely for economic considerations. The following are major countries from which India imported APIs during 2019-20.

S. No. Country Percentage share of import
1 CHINA P RP 68.04
2 U S A 3.53
3 ITALY 3.02
4 SINGAPORE 2.88
5 SPAIN 2.17
6 GERMANY 1.85
7 FRANCE 1.56
8 JAPAN 1.53
9 DENMARK 1.26
10 HONG KONG 1.25
Source: DGCIS, Kolkata

(c) & (f) : With a view to attain self-reliance and reduce import dependence in APIs/ Bulk drugs, the department of pharmaceuticals has rolled two schemes viz. (i) “Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) In India” and (ii) "Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks". The guidelines of both the schemes were released on 27th July, 2020.

(d) & (e): Under the scheme ‘Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks’ financial assistance will be provided to the State implementing agencies for creation of common infrastructure facilities in Bulk Drug Parks to be developed by State Governments. Three Bulk Drug parks will be financed under the scheme. States will be selected on the basis of scores obtained by the proposals submitted by the states on a predefined selection criteria ( given in the scheme guidelines available on the website of the department under the tab titled ''schemes''). A State Implementing Agency has to be a legal entity set up for the purpose of developing the Bulk Drug Park and having minimum 51% equity of the State government. No proposal has been submitted by the state government of Tamil Nadu. States can submit proposals under this scheme within a period of 60 days from the date of issuance of the scheme guidelines (guidelines were issued on 27th July, 2020).

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