Every fifth tablet, capsule and injectable in generic drugs consumed anywhere in the world is manufactured in India, if the latest data is an indication.

This was disclosed by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Lok Sabha on Friday, ascertaining the dominance of India as the pharmacy of the world.

“The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) under the Ministry of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of a Chemical & Fertilizers has informed that as per the Report of the Working Group on Drugs and Pharmaceuticals for 12th Five Year Plan, the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry has grown from Rs.71,000 crore in 2007 to over Rs.1 lac crore in 2009-2010 comprising Rs.62,055 crore of domestic market and exports of over Rs.42,154 crore,” he said.

“The Industry is ranked third globally in volume and 14th in value, supplying around 10 per cent of total global production. This also amounts to around 20 per cent of total volume of global generics. Thus, every fifth tablet, capsule and injectable in generic drugs consumed anywhere in the world is manufactured in India,” he said.

According to the data from the Department of Commerce, the exports of pharmaceutical products during the year of 2011-12 were worth Rs.40,218.15 crore. The exports stood at Rs.24,570.26 crore during 2009-10 and Rs.25,130.40 crore during 2010-11.

“Instructions have been issued from time to time to all Central Government hospitals and CGHS dispensaries to prescribe generic medicines to the maximum extent possible. The State Governments have also similarly been asked to instruct their doctors to prescribe generic medicines,” he said, in replay to a question.