"The pharma industry is a jewel in India’s crown with long term growth opportunities. However, COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the pharmaceutical supply chain facing several challenges. While medicines have been deemed as essential item, entities ancillary to pharma manufacturers (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients/ Key Starting Materials/ Excipients/Packaging material) have faced adversities during the lockdown. The size of the ancillary industry is approximately $9 billion and is a key contributor to the success of pharma industry. Further, Medium Small ME (MSMEs) have a significant salience of 55-60% within ancillaries, contributed by 10,000 – 11,000 units. The Ancillary industry is a vital part of the pharmaceutical supply chain. For the industry to function, immediate action is required to support the ancillaries by identifying interventions that will enable their early revival in select segments and clusters.”

Satish Reddy, President, India Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), Mumbai