Lok Sabha Question No. 1056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-22
Subject: Raw Material from China
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, M. K. RAGHAVAN, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1056

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 nd  November, 2016

## Raw Material from China

1056. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  almost  65  per  cent  of  raw  material  for  the formulation  of  antibiotic  and  other  vital  medicines  in  the  country  is coming from China, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  on  various  measures  to reduce the dependence on China for the said raw material;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard;
- (d) the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  raw material  for  the  formulation  of  medicines  is  made  available  in  the country; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  substandard  raw  material  is being imported into the country and  if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a): Yes,  Madam.  The  details  of  India's  imports  of  Active  Pharmaceutical Ingredients from top 5 countries during the last three years is as under:

..2/-

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| Years    |   Total import (Rs. crores) | Imports from China (Rs. crores)   | Imports from Germany (Rs. crores)   | Imports from USA (Rs. crores)   | Imports from Italy (Rs. crores)   | Imports from Singapore (Rs. crores)   |
|----------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2013- 14 |                     18991.1 | 12061.53 (63.51%)                 | 1293.70 (6.81%)                     | 855.14 (4.5%)                   | 557.20 (2.93%)                    | 159.71 (0.84%)                        |
| 2014- 15 |                     19833.2 | 12757.96 (64.33%)                 | 1172.05 (5.91%)                     | 791.17 (3.99%)                  | 644.38 (3.25%)                    | 241.25 (1.22%)                        |
| 2015- 16 |                     21216.9 | 13853.20 (65.29%)                 | 1054.69 (4.97%)                     | 979.28 (4.62%)                  | 662.42 (3.12%)                    | 593.57 (2.8%)                         |

(Source   CMIE economic outlook)

However,  in  certain  cases,  these  imports  are  taking  place  because  of economic considerations.

(b)  (c)  &  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  The  government  has  withdrawn  exemption  of customs duty on certain categories on Bulk Drugs/APIs to provide equal level playing  field  to  the  domestic  manufacturers.  Further,  the  government  is clearing bottlenecks like environment clearance etc. which the manufacturers are facing in order to give a boost to domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs.

(e): The import of Bulk Drugs/APIs used in the manufacture of formulations is regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act.

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