China increasing Price of API

The prices of raw materials, known as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or bulk drugs, have grown multifold since November. The same trend was seen in April last year, when several Chinese units and trade corridors shut down due to the Covid outbreak.

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Now, as India seeks self-dependence in API production, experts believe China, the largest API manufacturer, is responding with price fluctuation.

According to Baddi-based pharmaceutical firm Ultra Drugs, the prices of Enzyme rutoside, which is used in making formulations to relieve pain and inflammation, have gone up from Rs 1,700 per kg to Rs 5,500 — a jump of 223 per cent.

Baddi in Himachal Pradesh is known as the hub of API or bulk drugs and generic drug production in India.

According to data shared by Ultra Drugs, the prices of the API for antibiotic ornidazole have risen by 44 per cent in the last four months — from Rs 970 per kg to Rs 1,400 per kg.

Prices of bulk drugs for several vitamins have jumped too. For instance, mecobalamin has seen a rise of around 40 per cent from Rs 1.6 lakh per kg to Rs 2.2 lakh.