COVID-19 Lesson: India Earmarks $1.3bn To Reduce Dependence On China

Lopinavir, Ritonavir On List Of 53 Incentivized APIs

Mar 27 2020

• By Vibha Ravi

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In a bid to ensure long-term medicines security, the Indian government has earmarked $1.32bn to promote domestic production of 53 APIs, including lopinavir and ritonavir currently being evaluated to treat COVID-19 cases, as well as antibiotics, for which India is highly dependent on China.

Drawing_Domino_Effect — India Aims To Reduce Its Supply Chain Vulnerability Post The COVID-19 Crisis • Source: Shutterstock

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be the wake-up call that India, heavily dependent on China for pharmaceutical raw material supplies, needed to build its defense. As the world fights a massive health challenge that has so far affected over 170 countries and territories, forcing several into lock-downs and making "social distancing" part of daily life, India has acted on a long-standing problem.

In a INR99.4bn ($1.3bn) stimulus, the union cabinet recently approved incentivizing the production of 53 critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)...

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