Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, which are already hot investment destination for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, have emerged as the leading pharma exporters in the country. The two states contributed more than 30 per cent of India’s total pharma exports. For the year 2014-15, the pharmaceutical exports from AP and TS have crossed more than Rs.33,000 crore.

According to Dr P V Appaji, Director General of Pharmexcil, the pharmaceutical exports in India have been growing at a rate of 17 per cent in rupee terms and around 10 per cent in dollar terms during the current fiscal. “Last year our total exports stood at Rs.94,275 crore, while this year we have crossed more than Rs.1.12 lakh crore. In fact this is a big achievement for Indian pharma as we have crossed this mark for the first time,” informed Appaji.

Moreover, with the change in FDI policy, more foreign investors will be attracted to invest in this sector and help in the areas of research and development. With both the state governments encouraging the industries with proactive policies, it is expected that both the states will emerge as leading hubs for R&D and will continue to lead in pharmaceutical exports.

As per Pharmexcil report, last year already pharmaceutical exports from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh reached around Rs.33,000 crore. This figure may cross Rs.40,000 crore when the Council finalizes the entire data for the period. “We have sought the export data from all the exporting firms in the country, we will come out with final export figures for the current fiscal as soon as we get all the inputs,” informed the DG.

The pharmaceutical industry had done well last year despite some actions by the US health regulator, US FDA, as the Central government extended support to the sector and took up issues related to it seriously. Support from the Union commerce ministry and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) helped the industry to post healthy growth in last one year. Also, Indian government has maintained good relations with the US government, thereby helping the sector. “We at Pharmexcil have also taken up regulatory issues vigorously and cleared hurdles. In spite of challenges, the pharma sector will definitely see a positive growth,” observed Appaji.