Region hopes to be pharma export hub

The growth in India's pharmaceutical production, stated to be approximately $4 billion this fiscal year, bodes well for the region, which is fast becoming a pharmaceutical hub. One-third of the total pharma products in the country is exported.

The chairman (northern region) of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation, R K Dhawan, said: "From bulk drugs we are focusing on formulation. We will organise multi-product exhibitions in Moscow and St Petersburg during May-June to reach out to the Russian market to promote exports. We expect the pharmaceutical industry to play an important role."

According to him, export of pharmaceutical products from north India accounts for 15 per cent of that of the whole country. This year, the organisation expects the figure to grow to 25 per cent.

Currently, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the main hubs of the pharmaceutical industry and a large number of export originates from these places. With Baddi emerging as the pharmaceutical industry capital of India and regional companies expanding, the pharmaceutical export market is poised to see a major growth according to Industry analyst.

Mohali, Ropar and Paonta Sahib units are the key export zones for Ranbaxy Laboratories from north India. Speaking to Business Standard, Pushpinder Bindra, president, global manufacturing and capacity planning, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, said the Paonta unit contributed $100 million and Mohali and Ropar combined contributed $70 million to the company's total exports. The region is exporting a wide range of pharmaceutical products, covering all major therapeutic classes and dosage forms.

Besides regular brands, it is also exporting specialized products like inhalers, suppositories, nasal sprays, injectables and infusions.

Sanjeev Sachdeva, president, Surya Pharmaceutical Ltd, which is into bulk drugs, informed that the company was focusing on the markets of Taiwan, Korea, China, Latin America and Philippines. "This year, we will export $19 million and see an annual growth of 25 per cent," Sachdeva said.

According to a private exporter, cost effective manufacturing, well developed chemical industry infrastructure, abundant scientific talent and technical skills and unique synergy in the fields of IT and Biotech and medicine is enabling the region's pharmaceutical industry to grow.