India’s Pharma exports grow by 103% since 2013-14

Pharma exports in 2021-22 sustain a positive growth despite global trade disruptions

Pharma trade balance continues to be in India’s favour

Around 55 % of Indian pharma exports cater to highly regulated markets

Indian pharma exports witnessed a growth of 103% since 2013-14, from Rs. 90, 415 Crores in 2013-14 to Rs. 1,83,422 Crores in 2021-22.  The exports achieved in 2021-22 is the Pharma Sector’ best export performance ever.  It is a remarkable growth with exports growing by almost USD 10 billion in 8 years. 

Highlighting the achievement in a tweet, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that Under the active leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi India has been serving as the 'pharmacy of the world'.

Building on the outstanding performance in the previous FY 2020-21, Indian pharma exports once again registered a healthy performance in 2021-22.  The pharma exports in 2021-22 sustained a positive growth despite the global trade disruptions and drop in demand for COVID related medicines. The trade balance continues to be in India’s favour, with a surplus of USD 15175.81 Million.  

Indian pharma companies enabled by their price competitiveness and good quality, have made global mark, with 60 per cent of the world’s vaccines and 20% of generic medicines coming from India.  

India ranks 3rd worldwide for production by volume and 14th by value. Behind India’s pharma success story is our world class manufacturing excellence, robust infrastructure, cost-competitiveness, trained human capital and innovation. The current market size of the Indian pharmaceutical industry is around USD 50 billion.  

The share of pharmaceutical and drugs in our global exports is 5.92%. Formulations and biologicals continue to account for a major share of 73.31% in our total exports, followed by Bulk drugs and drug intermediates with exports of USD 4437.64 million. India’s top 5 pharma export destinations are USA, UK, South Africa, Russia and Nigeria.

It is also noteworthy that around 55 % of our pharma exports cater to highly regulated markets. Indian pharma companies have a substantial share in the prescription market in the US and EU.  The largest number of FDA approved plants outside the US is in India.  

Even in the year, 2020-21, Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals had registered a sharp growth amid the COVID despair, achieving   an export of USD 24.4 Bn with a YoY growth of 18%.   

The extraordinary exports growth in 2020-21 was achieved braving the frequent lock downs, global supply chain disruptions and the depressed manufacturing sector. Indian pharma industry   played a pivotal role in fighting against the COVID pandemic and demonstrating to the world that we continue to be a reliable and dependent partner when it comes to dealing with a global health crisis. 

Indian vaccine industry developed Covid vaccine with indigenous technology in collaboration with India’s research institution like ICMR and NIV with in shortest time on par with highly developed countries like America and EU.  India provided 115million doses of vaccines to more than 97 countries.  

As part of the trade agreements, India also signed cooperation agreement with UAE and   Australia which will give enhanced access to Indian pharma products to these markets. 

Trade agreements expand market access for Indian pharma, enhancing exports to highly regulated markets and regulatory approvals. Pharmaceutical exports have grown markedly since 2013-14 and sustained positive growth despite global disruptions, yielding a favourable trade balance. Formulations and biologicals dominate exports, with around half directed to highly regulated markets and a large number of FDA approved plants located in India. Government pursuit of trade agreements and cooperation pacts aims to enhance market access and integrate Indian firms into global regulated supply chains.