Indian pharma exports witnessed a growth of 103% since 2013-14. It grew from Rs. 90,415 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 1,83,422 crore 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 US $ 10 billion in 8 years, the release said.  

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 US $ 15175.81 million 

Indian pharma companies enabled by their price competitiveness and good quality, have made a 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 release further added.

The share of pharmaceuticals and drugs in India’s global exports is 5.92%. Formulations and biologicals continue to account for a major share of 73.31% of 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 2020-21, Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals had registered a sharp growth amid the Covid despair, achieving export of US $ 24.4 billion with a YoY growth of 18%.