Pharma firms say suspension of cargo from China has resulted hoarding, driving up prices of raw materials, seek govt intervention immediately.
The suspension of Chinese cargo services to India, impacting the import of pharmaceutical raw materials, has added to the industry’s worries.
India imports 70 per cent of its pharmaceutical raw materials from China. On 26 April, China suspended for 15 days cargo flights by Sichuan Airlines that had been transporting medical supplies to India. This, according to industry insiders, has led to a hoarding of important pharmaceutical raw materials.
In a letter written to Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar on 29 April, the IDMA termed China’s move as “worrisome” and expressed concern that it would have “cascading effects on its entire supply chain leading to shortage of essential medicines for the nation’s population as well as severe impact on exports”.
