Union government’s ‘Made in India’ emphasis could notch up the growth prospects for the Indian active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers. It would also reduce the dependence on China for a range of excipients and intermediates, said Anjan K Roy, managing director, RL Fine Chem and member Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

The API industry would see a further boost in terms of developing a strong product pipeline with the arrival of poly pills. There are several Indian API players engaged in advanced research of the active ingredients used to produce a combined tablet for blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. But since these companies are in the process of applying for patents, no details can be disclosed, he added.

However, what is encouraging is the new government’s efforts to take the right steps to encourage the domestic API, intermediate and excipients manufacturers and this is a positive move as much of these products are imported from China, Roy told Pharmabiz.

Indian API industry will be on a high growth trajectory by 2020 with the new government looking to encourage domestic manufacturing with a slew of benefits. This will see the sector augment its international presence. So long, all efforts were to allow China dominate in this space and Indian API sector was losing its ground. But now we see a turnaround as the sector is being recognised, he said.

In the case of drug registration fees, the earlier government has maintained the skewed levy. For instance China could register in India for a $2,000 per drug. But India could register each drug at $20,000. Now the Union government is moving to increase the levy for the products from China.

China under the President Xi Jinping is looking to make its economy more dynamic by opening more industries to foreign competition. There are drugs like paracetamol and antibiotics where China has a clear edge. In the case of India, it is gaining ground to prove its expertise in oncology and neuropsychiatry APIs.

Further, there is also a big opportunity for Indian APIs to manufacture Angiotensin II receptor antagonists or sartans used in drugs for hypertension, diabetic nephropathy and congestive heart failure. Some of the APIs are osartan, candesartan, irbesartan, telmisartan, olmesartan, valsartan and eprosartan . India also has the expertise in dermatology and dental APIs. Therefore by 2020, Indian API industry could compete with China head on and be a preferred partner for global players in the space, Roy said.