India lifts restrictions on penicillin, rifampicin imports

01 April 2003 02:24  [Source: ICIS news]

NEW DELHI (CNI)--India has decided to lift restrictions on imports of antibiotics penicillin and rifampicin as well as their intermediates and formulations from Tuesday (1 April).

The Indian government will also permit unlimited imports of 6-amino penicillinic acid (6-APA), a major building block for semi-synthetic antibiotics, and first-aid boxes and kits under changes to its Export-Import (Exim) Policy for 2003-04.

To date, these pharmaceuticals figured on a list of restricted items which could only be imported under licence by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Only a limited number of these licences have been issued in the past  and then only to bridge any shortfall in domestic production.

The removal of restrictions on the pharmaceuticals will expose over a dozen companies to intense competition. These include Novartis India Ltd, DSM Anti-Infective India Ltd, Lupin Ltd, Alembic Ltd, JK Pharma and Southern Petrochemical Industries Corp (SPIC).

However, official sources told CNI that the competition would not start overnight as prospective importers have to comply with the requirements of a different import license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA). This is expected to take several months.

 

By: Naresh Minocha
+65 6780 4359

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly