The Government target of achieving pharmaceutical exports of $25 billion by 2014-15 from the current level of $13.5 billion is tough, but certain policy initiatives could make the process easier.
This was the dominant view of the pharma industry during a conclave of CEOs of top pharma companies organised by the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) here.
Global situation
“It is a tough target, especially given the current global situation. The Industry is already facing delayed payments from some of the export countries worst hit by the global economic downturn,” admitted P.V. Appaji, Director-General, Pharmexcil.
CEOs at the conclave suggested a single-window mechanism for obtaining clearances and regulatory approvals, apart from measures to tide over the gaps in infrastructure, especially power supply.
S.P. Vasireddy, Chairman, Vimta Labs, lamented that there were quite a few hurdles created by the Ministry of Environment in taking up pre-clinical research, which was making it difficult for clinical research organisations to get timely approvals.
Centralised pool
Ranjan Chakravarthy of Ranbaxy Labs favoured establishment of a centralised pool to assess regulatory compliance by the small and medium enterprises. J.S. Deepak, the Union Commerce Ministry’s Assistant Secretary, defended the export target set by the Centre, claiming it could be achieved in spite of the shortcomings that the industry faced.
“It is challenging but achievable,” he said.