Lok Sabha Question No. 1033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-22
Subject: Import and Export of Pharmaceutical Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1033 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 nd  JULY, 2022

## Import and Export of Pharmaceutical Drugs

## †1033. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

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

- (a) the details of the drugs exported and imported separately during the last five years;
- (b) the foreign exchange earned/spent in this regard during the said period;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the export of drugs and pharmaceuticals etc.;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) & (b):      The quantity and the value of the drugs exported and imported during the last five years is as under: -

| Export and Import of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals   | Export and Import of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals   | Export and Import of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals   | Export and Import of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals   | Export and Import of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals   |
|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|                                                  | Export                                           | Export                                           | Import                                           | Import                                           |
| Year                                             | Quantity (MT)                                    | Value (In Rs Cr)                                 | Quantity (MT)                                    | Value (In Rs Cr)                                 |
| 2017-18                                          | 665934                                           | 1,06,038                                         | 319143                                           | 31,161                                           |
| 2018-19                                          | 674084                                           | 1,28,028                                         | 364975                                           | 38,976                                           |
| 2019-20                                          | 524757                                           | 1,40,537                                         | 386186                                           | 40,139                                           |
| 2020-21                                          | 642718                                           | 1,74,064                                         | 403878                                           | 46,808                                           |
| 2021-22                                          | 1075906                                          | 1,75,040                                         | 423966                                           | 60,060                                           |

Source:

DGCIS, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

(c) to (e):  Yes, Sir. The Government strives for promotion and development of indigenously manufactured  drugs  and  enhance  their  exports.  The  manufacturing  of  drugs  and  pharma products is mainly driven by the private sector and the Government is making efforts towards reduction in compliance burden, creation of manufacturing ecosystem in terms of industrial parks etc. which ultimately have the effect on increasing the exports as well.  Department of Pharmaceuticals is implementing the Scheme of Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industries. One of the component of the scheme is to provide financial support to the MSME pharma

Industries to upgrade their manufacturing standards to WHO-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) Standards.

The Department of Commerce also provides financial assistance to exporters under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme for various activities such as expenditure incurred by exporters on statutory compliances such as product registration abroad and plant inspection charges etc.; export market research & product development; organizing/ participating in fairs, exhibitions and Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs) abroad; Reverse Buyer Seller Meets etc.

The  market  access  issues  which  restrict  our  exports  are  also  regularly  taken  up  in coordination with Indian Missions in foreign countries for timely resolution and boosting our exports.

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