Page 80 - NPPA full book

INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR: MEETING

GLOBAL AND DOMESTIC DEMAND

oday the Indian pharmaceutical industry meets country’s demand for bulk drugs and nearly all its demand for
formulations, with the exception of patented products. India is aligning itself as “Pharmacy of the world” as it

T contributes to 200+ different markets health care needs, covering almost all the generics. Every fifth tablet, capsule

and injection in generic drugs consumed anywhere on the planet is made in India. Indian pharmaceutical industry has a robust

sustained double digit growth year after year. Exports constitute a major part of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Currently,

India exports approximately 50% of the total turnover of the industry and export figures are rising. In the domestic pharma
market scenario, the rural areas are witnessing a growth rate of more than 30% annually, thanks to the shifting rural and semi-

urban economic status as well as lifestyles.

Although fragmented, the industry has about 10,500 units, mostly small. Of these, about 300-400 units are categorized as

belonging to the medium to large organized sector. All these produce generic drugs, over the counter medicines, bulk drugs,
vaccines, biosimilars and biologics. Some firms also specialise in contract research & manufacturing.

A Humble Take-Off by Indian Industry

The Indian pharmaceutical industry had a humble beginning at the onset of 20th century when Acharya Prafulla Chandra
Ray established a small unit in Calcutta to produce galenicals using indigenous solutions. Slowly and steadily the industry

grew with setting up of Alembic in 1907 and then companies like Sarabhai Chemicals, Allied and Cadila Labs, Atul Products,

Cipla and multinationals that entered India after World War-I. These are credited for bringing ‘therapeutic revolution’ in India.

Educational institutions too played a leading role. The LM College of Pharmacy was established in 1947 in Ahmedabad that
supplied quality entrepreneurs, technocrats and drug controllers for the pharmaceutical industry.

Post-independence, efforts were made by the Indian Government to lay foundation for a strong domestic sector while

encouraging multi-national companies to manufacture in India. HAL was commissioned in 1955 & IDPL in 1961. Many foreign

companies contributed technology to HAL. Modifications were done by in house R&D to suit Indian conditions to start

antibiotics production from basic stage. USSR had lent technology for the development of fermented products and synthetic

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