India's pharma ambitions stumble as imports surge, PLI scheme under scrutiny

India's aspiration for pharmaceutical self-reliance hit a rough patch as recent data indicates a surge in imports of bulk drugs and intermediates from various countries, including China, over the past two years.

The rise, despite flagship initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, has thrown a wrench in the government's ambitions and sparked questions about the effectiveness of its policies, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

As an official with a domestic drug company said, the paradox exposes the intricate dance between government ambitions, economic realities, and global supply chains. It also turns the spotlight on swelling research costs and misaligned attempts to bridge the technological gap.