GoI: 5th Meeting of Task Force of Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients discuss Corona Virus

On February 18, 2020, the Ministry of Shipping and Chemical Fertilizers held the fifth meeting of Task Force. The Task Force discussed small, medium and large API units.

Highlights

The Ministry discussed on the availability of medicines and drugs to control the impacts of Corona Virus. The Task Force also discussed and ensured that there shall be no shortage of drugs, medicines and APIs in India.

What is API?

API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) are ingredients that are biologically active. Every drug is made of two core components. One is the API and the other is the Excipient. The Excipients are the ingredients that keep the drug stable for long term.

Currently India is dependent on China in importing APIs. Around Rs 12,255 crores of APIs were imported from China in the year 2016-17. On the other hand, 80% of the raw materials for these drugs are sourced from India.

Significance

Recently the prices of paracetamol, a common analgesic has jumped by 40% in India. The prices of other antibiotics have also risen by 70%. This is mainly due to the outbreak of Corona Virus. Therefore, it is important for the GoI to control these scenarios. The task forces assist the GoI in these situations to report and control them.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2020