formulations. Tremendous opportunities are available for Indian Pharma industry in post 2005 era to manufacture and export many products getting off-patented. Its immense strength in manufacturing quality medicines at affordable prices made the Indian Pharma industry to compete both in regulated and non-regulated markets. This industry is playing a vital role in the Indian economy with Rs.14500 crores export turnover in the year 2003-04 with a growth rate of 12%.

Apart from its strengths in manufacturing and exporting allopathic medicines, India is known for its own systems of medicines with about 7000 units manufacturing various Indian system of medicines viz., Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy etc. Though strong in cultivation/manufacture of Indian system of medicines, India’s share in the global herbal market, estimated at US$ 63 billion, is less than 0.2%, which shows that there is a tremendous scope for export market.

Fast growing Biotech industry estimated at about US$ 2 billion market, is a another part of Indian Pharma industry in India, which has great potential in the international market and which needs focused attention to improve its performance in the international market.

• US$ 5 billion industry
• Produces 70% APIs, almost the entire requirement of formulations within the country
• Ranks 4th in the world, accounting 8% of world production by volume and 2% by value
• Very strong in Indian medicine systems of Ayurvedic, Homoepathy, Unani, Siddha and Herbals medicines
• Fast growing Biotech industry with US$ 2 billion market
• Low cost of production
• Low R&D costs
• Abundant scientific and technical manpower
• Strong intellectual capital
• Excellent world-calls national laboratories, specialized in development processes and cost effective technologies
• An efficient and cost effective source for procuring generic drugs, especially the drugs going off patent in the next few years
• An excellent center for clinical trials
• USFDA/WHO complying manufacturing facilities
• 15% of Indian Pharmaceutical scientists are in USA, hence good network

The dynamic growth of Indian Pharma Industry, a knowledge based industry, and the recommendations of four major Pharma associations made the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to realize the need for separate export promotion council. Accordingly, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL) has been set up on 12.5.2004. With its notification No.61 dt. 16.3.2005, Director General of Foreign Trade made Pharmexcil the sole agency to issue RCMCs to all Pharma exporters. 

The activities of the Council are administered by Committee of Administration consisting of representatives from major Pharma industries in India like J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Aurobindo Phrma, Luipin, Ranbaxy, Novarties, Avantis, Ipca, Shasun, Sun Phrma, Zydus Cadila, Glowchem, Calyx etc., apart from Govt. officials from Central govt. and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Administrative support to the Council is extended by very rich experienced personnel from various fields like Govt. of India and Pharma industry.

Issue of RCMC Organizing Trade delegations/Buyer-Seller Meetings at abroad Organizing Reverse Buyer-Seller Meetings in India Assisting members to get their MDA/MAI claims refunded from Govt. of India Issue of Certificate of Origin Organizing periodical Seminars/Interactive meetings on exports related issues Make suggestions to Govt. of India on policy issues relating to Pharma exports

Make representations to Govt. of India and other agencies in India and abroad to get amicable solutions for the common problems of the industry.