Centre completes molecular mapping of Chinese Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

NEW DELHI: The government has done a molecule-by-molecule mapping of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) imported from China to ramp up domestic production and imports from third party sources in view of the supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus epidemic.

The government is also preparing for making special arrangements for APIs that still need sourcing from China. In an exclusive interview with IANS, the government’s Principal Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal said that though the country has API stocks for at least three weeks, they have already completed molecular mapping of the ingredients required for manufacturing of essential pharmaceuticals, domestically.

“If after three weeks, if we need to airlift special consignments, arrangements for that too will be made,” he said asserting that there was no need for panic. The Indian pharma industry heavily relies on imports of bulk drugs (APIs and intermediates), with more than 50 percent of API coming from China. Imports from China have been on a steady rise over the years due to the low-cost advantage Chinese manufacturers have. The value addition in India is mainly through formulation, packaging, and distribution. The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted supplies of pharmaceutical ingredients from China, resulting in shortages and potential price rise of generic drugs in India. (IANS)

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