Reclaiming our leadership in safe drugs

The spread of counterfeit medicines threatens to undermine India's public health achievements, and jeopardises its standing in global health markets

- INDU BHUSHAN

INDIA HAS LONG been celebrated as the "pharmacy of the World." We supply over 60% of global vaccine demand, 40% of generic medicines to the US, and 25% of all medicines to the UK. More than 200 countries import Indian pharmaceuticals. Our affordable, high-quality medicines have saved millions of lives across the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to essential drugs would otherwise remain a distant dream. Within India too, this industry has played a pivotal role in ensuring affordable medicines for our vast population, contributing to the success of initiatives like Jan Aushadhi and Ayushman Bharat.

India's pharmaceutical exports crossed $25 billion in 2023, a testament to the strength and scale of our industry. Our manufacturers are counted among the world's largest, and over 650 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved manufacturing facilities operate across the country. This global trust in India's pharma ecosystem has been a source of national pride.

Yet, that trust is now at risk.

The stark reality is that the quality of medicines remains uneven, and the circulation of substandard and falsified (SF) drugs has emerged as a serious concern. A 2023 joint study by CRISIL and the Authentication Solution Providers' Association estimated that around 20% of medicines sold in India could be either counterfeit or substandard. The World Health Organization similarly warns that one in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is SF.