Tensions growing in India over dependence on Chinese APIs

An increased dependence on the import of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China is raising national security concerns in India, with the Health Ministry contending it is technically destroying indigenous manufacturing, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

The recent tension between India and China has prompted the government to undertake policy decisions with regards to the import of pharmaceuticals from China, tighten regulatory checks on medicines coming in from the neighboring country, and rally the domestic pharmaceutical sector to reduce its dependence on China for pharmaceutical products.

"Take a look at what has been happening recently," said a Health Ministry official. "India practically forced China's Fosun Group to acquire a lower stake of 74% in India's Gland Pharma. Its earlier bid for an 86.1% stake at $1.3 billion was blocked. The government is also planning major bulk drug parks, and initiating import curbs to boost manufacturing in India, all of which are signs that the government means business," said the official.