Pharma exports to Japan likely to go up

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (PTI) Pharama industry in India canlook forward to increased exports to Japan with the governmentthere allowing import of generic medicine, a top official ofPharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcll) said heretoday.

P V Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcell said,"Japanese government is now encouraging the use of genericmedicines there. May be, results will be felt after three tofour years. If it goes smoothly, at least five per cent of thetotal pharma exports should come from Japanese market alone.

The Indian Pharma exports in the last fiscal stood atRs 40,000 crore," Appaji told media persons.

As much as 22 per cent of the total pharma exports comefrom the USA alone while 16 per cent from Africa, six per centLatin America and eight per cent from CIS countries.

According to Appaji, currently India exports bulk drug,herbal products and herbal extracts.

Replying to question he said the Pharma exports thisyear may see a growth of 20 per cent over last year.

According to reports, bilateral trade between the twonations totalled USD 12.5 billion in the year ending March2010 with Japanese exports, primarily in the form ofautomobiles and electric goods, totalling USD 7.8 billion andIndian exports, chiefly made up of jewellery, oil, and steel,worth USD 4.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the eighth edition of BioAsia 2011: Theglobal bio-business forum, to be held here from February 21 to24, is set to bring best of the industry together, J GeethaReddy, Minister for Major Industries, Andhra Pradesh said.

The main attraction this year will be the CEO Conclavewith industry bigwigs like Dr Anji Reddy, Chairman, Dr Reddy''sLaboratories, Dr D S Brar, Chairman, GVK Bio and Dr ShaileshAyyangar, Managing Director (South Asia), Sanofi-Aventisagreeing to be part of the panel.