The most striking features of this Budget was its focus on simplification and improving the ease of doing business in India, asserts Kaku Nakhate.
Overall slowdown in the economy and growing volumes of unbranded generic medicines in the domestic market are behind poor sales.
The ability of Indian pharmaceutical companies to command higher margins in international markets is helping sustain business.
'No retaliatory tariffs now. You can retaliate after a few months.' 'Today, there is no need to retaliate because it is a question of long term benefits.'
The FDA has stepped up its efforts to ensure drug safety in recent months.
Pharma firm Micro Labs Ltd plans to invest Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) in setting up three drug manufacturing units -- two in Bangalore and one in Goa -- next year.
The Budget has given signals that India is sensitive to the US needs and willing to walk the extra mile, but if need be, we should respond in equal measure as a sovereign nation, notes Ajay Srivastava.
Big pharma companies, however, said while it was true that formulation players would not rush to buy raw material, they could not afford losing customers.
Here is a list of Q & As to explain these issues and implications of the US move.
A probe has been initiated by India's drug regulator after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert saying cough syrups manufactured by an Indian firm could potentially be linked to the death of children in The Gambia, official sources said.
The commerce ministry is working on different scenarios to assess the possible fallout of reciprocal tariffs to be imposed by the US administration on April 2 on its key trading partners including India, sources said. US President Donald Trump has said that April 2 will be 'Liberation Day' as he plans to announce tariffs or import duties to bring down America's trade deficit, and promote the country's manufacturing.
Drug major Sun Pharma is recalling over 34,000 bottles of a generic medication, used to treat high blood pressure, in the US market due to failed dissolution testing. As per the US Food and Drug Administration's Enforcement Report, the US-based arm of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is recalling lots of Diltiazem Hydrochloride extended-release capsules which are used to treat angina, high blood pressure and some types of irregular heartbeats.
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday criticised the trade deficits that the US has with Canada, Mexico, China, and argued that America should no longer 'subsidise' other countries, and urged businesses to manufacture domestically to avoid tariffs.
The API of Paracetamol, a fever and pain medication, has grown 25 per cent from Rs 450-480 per kg in December 2020 to Rs 580-600 per kg in April. When compared to the pre-Covid prices of December 2019, the surge is much steeper -- around 140 per cent, reports Sohini Das.
The minister said that his ministry will clear its stance on Patanjali's ayurvedic drugs after reviewing the report sent by it.
'Growth for some companies has been hard to come by and this is a smart way to get there.'
market, was today seized from an illegal drug manufacturing unit in Jalgaon district in north Maharashtra and six persons were arrested, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials said.
Pharma Link, a joint venture of leading pharmaceutical support service provider Interpharma Asia-Pacific
The Budget 2025-26 meets the expectations of fiscal consolidation, maintaining capital expenditure, and boosting consumption through tax cuts.
Reliance Life Sciences is planning to invest at least Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) to set up hospitals in the country's metros and dispensaries in small towns.
They said after examining and analysing the adverse event reports, causal relationship and all related details shared by or to be shared by the WHO, the committee will advise and recommend further course of action to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
"The new structure will substantially reduce taxes on the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment," Sitharaman said presenting what was dubbed as 'reformist' budget for the next fiscal in Lok Sabha.
A woman died and four others were critical after the delivery of babies at a state-run hospital in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluid, prompting the health department to order an investigation, officials said on Saturday.
The products worth Rs 5,000 crore have been banned for manufacture, distribution and sale with immediate effect causing hardship to manufacturers and patients.
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is currently being manufactured in India by Dr Reddy's Laboratories.
Industry associations and companies in the United States, including the US Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Services Industries and the iconic bike company Harley Davidson have called on the Donald Trump dispensation to push India to reduce tariffs, non-tariffs, and regulatory barriers to boost American exports.
Competition in the US pharmaceutical market swelled in recent years, with increasing generic penetration.
European regulators have estimated that consumers are paying up to 20 per cent more for medicines in some cases.
Mandatory prescription of generic names is not a complete solution. Rather, in the absence of a range of approaches, it could mean passing the choice of selecting a drug from a doctor to a pharmacist, says Chandrakant Lahariya.
Besides opposing the suspension of three medicines, the sector has also questioned the process adopted by the government.
Move follows a spate of international regulatory enforcements on Indian drug firms.
Whistle-blower Dinesh Thakur will speak on Made-in-India drugs at an event in Washington.
The inspection at Marion Biotech started at around 12 pm and continued for over 10 hours during which six more samples of the syrup were taken, they said.
'There is no reason why we should break this business up.'
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The move is expected to delay the introduction of low-priced medicines in the market.
The new guidelines, effective from August 1, aim to expedite visa approvals for nationals from China and other countries sharing land borders with India.
The Indian Council of Medical Research was in talks with the Serum Institute of India for local manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies (MABs). However, it did not take off, as the volume was much less in India.
