LIVE FROM CPHI: India sets ambitious pharma export growth targets

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) and the Pharmaceuticals Export Council of India (Pharmexcil) announced at CPhI the country's plans for growth and its commitment to lowering the cost of medicines globally.

The organisations are forecasting that India will retain its growth in generics exports (24% for the last four years) and commitment to lowering the cost of vital medicines through its development expertise.

In 2012 India was recognised by UNICEF’s Supply Annual Report as the largest supplier of generics globally and the Government of India and Pharmexcil jointly predict that the country is now at a transformative stage in its development, having created a regulatory and business environment for fostering innovation and growth.

This year alone, India’s pharma exports stand at around US$14.7bn (2012–2013), registering a growth rate of 11%, with 55% of exports heading to highly regulated Western markets. The Government has set a target of $25bn for pharmaceutical exports by 2016.

In support of these goals, the Government of India has already put in place supportive initiatives with the goal of cementing the country’s position as the 'Pharmacy of the World'. These include tax breaks for the pharmaceutical sector and a weighted tax deduction of 150% for any R&D expenditure incurred. It has also introduced 19 dedicated Special Economic Zones to help stimulate pharma sector investment across the country.

As a result of these initiatives, it is predicted that R&D expenditure will continue to grow at an annualised rate of nearly 20% for the next few years.

'During the last three years India’s exports of pharmaceuticals have been growing at 17%. We are expecting a CAGR of around 20% in the next five years,' said Dr Appaji P V, Director General, Pharmexcil.

What is most remarkable about growth in our export of generics is not just the sheer numbers involved, but thanks to our expertise, quality standards and cost-effective manufacturing techniques, we have also been able to lower the cost of vital medicines in the developing world.

The Government is committed to sustaining this growth by nurturing the next generation of scientists and the Department of Pharmaceuticals has set aside $478.4m to set up 10 more National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).

'India’s pharma industry has undergone a sustained period of consolidated expansion, thanks to the Government’s ability to facilitate policies and economic conditions that have fostered growth. This development is timely,' said Aparna Dutt Sharma, CEO of Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).

'When nations across the globe are grappling with increased resource requirements for growing healthcare needs, Indian pharma offers credible and affordable healthcare solutions. It is working in a niche space and we would like to create better and deeper understanding of Indian pharma among more and more countries and communities to evaluate, adopt and fulfill their healthcare commitments to the people at large.'

Sudhanshu Pandey, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India, added: 'What is most remarkable about growth in our export of generics is not just the sheer numbers involved, but thanks to our expertise, quality standards and cost-effective manufacturing techniques, we have also been able to lower the cost of vital medicines in the developing world. The cost of HIV/AIDS treatment was lowered to $400 a year from $12,000.'