Keen to push the exports of APIs from the country, the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is strategically planning to organise an international meet specifically focused on promoting the API sector along with generic formulations. The Pharmexcil’s increased focus on APIs stems from the fact that API exports from the country is not growing properly as desired, coupled with the assumption that the iphex expo is seen as an expo for generic formulations than for APIs.
 
Interestingly, this meet will be organised as a part of the 11th general meet along with host of other strategic export promotional activities to attract investment opportunities to the country. Dr P V Appaji director general of Pharmexcil informed that since APIs make up a large bulk of business for the country with its huge potential, there is an urgent need to further explore and push this segment. It is with this vision that the Pharmexcil has initiated this move to increase its focus on this sector. However he stressed that generic formulation will also be on the table during this event.
 
The chief of drug procurement agency of Ecuador from the Latin American region is also expected to come for the meet. The main aim behind this visit is to understand and interact with the Indian suppliers and regulators and get an idea about the Indian pharma industry in detail. This is a strategic development especially since the chief will be accompanied by six strong buyers of formulations from Ecuador. It is important to note that there is a huge requirement for generic formulations from Ecuador and thus this visit could pave way to lot of export promotion for the country.
 
It is understood that 80 delegates from 25 different countries will be making a beeline to attend this meet including countries like Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hungary, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Vietnam, etc, to name a few.
 
Dr Appaji informed that the business meet which will be held on three days from September 22 to 24 in Hyderabad will also see the giving away of 15 to 20 export awards for various categories of pharma exporters along with 15 awards for those companies who have secured ‘granted patents’ during current financial year. There will also be a CEO conclave chaired by Satish Reddy, board member of Pharmexcil and chairman of Dr Reddy’s Lab wherein experts will deliberate and discuss new strategies and way ahead to push pharma exports.