Bulk drug imports from China drop after govt scraps customs exemption

FY17 imports lowest in 3 years, exemption withdrawn to provide level playing field to domestic units

Bulk drug imports from China dropped to Rs 9,120.8 crore in 2016-17 from 13,853.20 crore a year ago, following the government's withdrawal of customs duty exemption on certain categories. The exemption was withdrawn to provide a level playing field to domestic manufacturers.

"This is the lowest in three years," informed Mansukh Lal Mandaviya, the Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers in Parliament today. In 2015-16, India imported bulk drugs worth Rs 13,853.20 crore, while in 2014-15, the figure was Rs 12,757.96 crore.

Imports from China have come down even as the domestic formulation industry has grown by about 10 per cent,