US tariffs on pharma unlikely to disrupt India’s industry

In the backdrop of the latest US tariffs on branded and patented medicines, pharmaceutical manufacturers in Himachal Pradesh have asserted that it will not significantly impact their businesses as the industry largely produces generic medicines. The Vice-Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII Himachal) and Executive Director of Morepen Laboratories in Solan, Mr Sanjay Suri, pointed out that more than 95% of the pharmaceutical companies located in Baddi, Nalagarh, Kala Amb and Paonta Sahib are engaged in producing generic medicines. He also emphasised the significance of India’s role in supplying cost-effective generics to global markets. India is one of the largest generic medicines exporters to the US. American healthcare cannot afford to impose high tariffs on generics as that would push up drug prices and burden patients, as per a report.