Pharma downplays 25% tariff impact: US healthcare could feel the blow instead of India- what sector experts say
India's pharmaceutical sector has given its insights into US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on all Indian imports starting August 1, warning that the move could significantly disrupt American healthcare rather than weaken Indian industry.
While uncertainty remains about whether pharmaceuticals will fall under the new tariff list- given Trump's April declaration that excluded essential drugs- the reaction from Indian pharma stakeholders has been swift and pointed.
'He is trying to kill the market of the Indian economy, but it is not going to happen,' said Dilip Kumar, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's Medical Tourism wing, speaking to ANI. 'We are exporters, especially of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and disposables, which mostly come from India.
The American market is dependent upon Indian and Chinese markets," he added.
Kumar also said that, 'India won't be impacted, as we will go by the route of exporting to European countries. We can survive in the toughest times and bounce back."
Also read:
25% tariff on India; 'dead economies' jibe, trade deal with Pakistan & more – Key points
Echoing these sentiments, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) Chairman Namit Joshi issued a statement through PTI highlighting India's indispensable role in the US drug supply chain.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
'India has long been a cornerstone of the global supply chain for affordable, high-quality medicines, particularly in the generic drug market, where it supplies nearly 47 per cent of the pharmaceutical needs of the US,' said Joshi.
'Indian pharmaceutical companies play a vital role in ensuring the affordability and availability of essential medications, including life-saving oncology drugs, antibiotics, and chronic disease treatments,' he added.
Joshi warned that the immediate fallout of the tariff move would be rising drug prices and possible shortages in the US. 'Any disruption to this supply chain will inevitably lead to shortages and escalating prices, ultimately harming US consumers and healthcare systems.'
He noted that while the short-term impact would be painful, the long-term risks were even more serious. 'The long-term impact will be even more severe.
The US market, heavily reliant on India for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and low-cost generics, faces a daunting challenge in finding alternative sources that can match the scale, quality, and affordability that India offers," Joshi said continuing his insights.
Efforts to transition manufacturing and API production to other countries or domestic facilities in the US could take 'at least 3–5 years before meaningful capacity can be established,' he cautioned.
Despite the uncertainty, Pharmexcil said it remained committed to working with stakeholders to maintain India's role as a reliable supplier of affordable medicines. 'We continue to engage with policymakers to emphasise the importance of affordable access to medicines and the indispensable role Indian pharmaceutical companies play in meeting the growing global demand for essential drugs,' Joshi said.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
On the track towards belonging
The completion of the the Udhampur, Srinagar, Baramulla rail link project, or the Jammu–Baramulla line, nearly four decades in the making, marks not only a historic engineering achievement in one of the most formidable terrains on the planet, but also the quiet fulfilment of a long-standing promise between the Indian state and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Spanning 272 km through the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges, this railway line is more than steel and concrete; it is a bridge of belonging. Mobility equates to opportunity. The railway line connects places such as Sopore, Anantnag, Qazigund, and Banihal to the national economy. It brings markets closer, education within reach, and jobs within possibility. Each train narrows not just physical distance but also psychological gaps. This railway line fosters the sentiment that national integration is not merely about symbolism but practical access, investment, and shared development. In a region long marked by conflict, this railway line offers a quieter story — one of shared work, patience, and steady progress. It won't resolve every issue, but it shifts the conversation towards connection and common purpose. The train carries the message that Kashmir is not peripheral to India, but central to its journey forward. SPOTLIGHT | Building bridges to Kashmir Audacity and achievement This milestone would not have been possible without the undaunted spirit of India's railway engineers. From the snow-bound tunnels of Pir Panjal to the vertiginous heights of the Chenab bridge, these professionals and workers toiled through some of the harshest natural conditions imaginable. They worked through deep winters, unpredictable landslides, and security concerns. Their courage and commitment deserve the gratitude of a nation. The Indian Railways has a proud tradition of such resolve. In the 19th century, railway engineers built a railway through the treacherous Western Ghats and delivered the Bhor Ghat section that connects Mumbai with the Deccan. During the Assam rail-link project of 1948, when newly independent India faced a logistical crisis in connecting the Northeast, the legendary railway engineer Sardar Karnil Singh (later Chairman of the Railway Board) and his team built 200 kilometres of line in record time, including more than 300 bridges. The Jammu-Baramulla line now joins this lineage of audacity and achievement. It is a reminder that while governments may change and priorities may shift, the railway engineer — anonymous and often unsung — continues to be one of the Republic's most enduring architects. Their work does not merely connect places; it connects lives, aspirations, and identities. It is they who transform maps into meanings and blueprints into belonging. The symbolism of the Jammu-Baramulla line lies not only in what it connects but also in what it overcomes. The project navigated not only geotechnical obstacles and climatic extremities, but also long periods of political uncertainty and civil unrest. Each completed tunnel and bridge, therefore, is an engineering feat and also a marker of perseverance and institutional commitment in the face of adversity. EDITORIAL | Connecting bridge: On the Chenab Rail Bridge Strategic importance The line's strategic importance is also worth underlining. By linking Kashmir's northernmost railhead with the rest of India's railway grid, it brings unparalleled logistical advantages for civilian mobility, trade, and even emergency response. The line also reduces dependence on the single Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is vulnerable to landslides and closures during winter. In doing so, it enhances the resilience of Kashmir's connectivity and helps ensure the regular flow of essentials such as food, fuel, and medicine. For students and patients who earlier endured long road journeys over mountainous passes, the railway offers comfort, affordability, and dignity. It reduces both the cost and the emotional toll of separation, making it easier for families to stay connected. In time, it will also make the region more attractive to investors and institutions, opening the doors for industrial parks, skill development centres, and agro-logistics hubs to be developed in and around stations such as Anantnag, Awantipora, and Baramulla. Culturally too, the railway becomes a conduit for exchange. As trains bring people to and from the Valley, they also carry stories, memories, and understanding. The rail journey is a slow but steady social equaliser, allowing a common experience to emerge across geographies. For many in the Valley who had never travelled far beyond their districts, it opens a new window to the rest of the country — and vice versa. The future now depends on how we build around this backbone. The completion of the Jammu-Baramulla line must be followed by careful planning of last-mile linkages, station area development, and service frequency enhancement. Local entrepreneurs, women's groups, and artisans must be enabled to benefit from the access that this line provides. Government agencies and private players must together create ecosystems around these stations, so they become not just halts, but hubs of rural transformation. This project is a testament to what democratic development looks like in action — patient, deliberate, and deeply transformational. The tracks may be made of steel, but the promise they carry is one of trust. And that may be the most powerful foundation on which to build the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Sarabjit Arjan Singh, former general manager, Indian Railway, and former member of Central Administrative Tribunal.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Licenses of eight krishi kendras suspended and sales halted at two over fertilizer sales irregularities
Nagpur: The licences of eight Krishi Seva Kendras (agriculture service centres) have been suspended, and sales at two others were halted due to irregularities in the sale of chemical fertilisers—urea and DAP. The action followed a probe conducted by the district agricultural superintendent. Inspections carried out by taluka-level quality control inspectors and flying squads revealed violations at several centres, including Om Ganesh, Rohit, Himanshu, Vaibhav, Mauli, and Shri Krishna Krishi Seva Kendras. Sources said the centres failed to provide satisfactory responses to the queries raised by the agriculture department. Nagpur district has 1,495 licensed Krishi Seva Kendras, all of which are being routinely inspected by full-time quality control inspectors assigned to each taluka. So far, 118 samples of chemical fertilisers have been tested, of which 16 were found to be substandard. This led to police action and the filing of 12 court cases. In addition, 1.20 metric tonnes of stock worth ₹1.35 lakh was seized. To prevent a shortage of urea in the district, a target was set to reserve 3,550 metric tonnes, of which 3,445 metric tonnes have already been secured. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo This stock was released in two phases and is now available at the agricultural centres. Another 3,830 metric tonnes of urea from companies like KRIBHCO and HUFL is expected to arrive this week. District superintendent agricultural officer Ravindra Manohare said that despite 11,000 metric tonnes of urea showing as available on PoS (Point of Sale) machines, some centres were found selling fertilisers without using the machines, which led to the suspension of their licences. Manohare added that centres must display price and stock information, maintain updated stock registers, and sell fertilisers strictly through PoS machines to ensure transparency and avoid hoarding. He urged farmers to report irregularities at centres to the quality control inspector. Farmers can also contact the superintendent agricultural cfficer directly at mobile number 9420971630 or the control room at 0712-2560786. For the ongoing Kharif season, Nagpur district was allocated 42,544 metric tonnes of urea up to August 31. As of Sunday, 48,896 metric tonnes—114% of the allocation—have been supplied. Of this, 36,986 metric tonnes were sold via PoS machines, while 11,910 metric tonnes remain in stock. However, discrepancies were found between PoS records and the actual stock at some centres, prompting a special verification drive. To ensure the timely availability of quality fertilisers and to curb malpractice, the district agriculture department has activated its quality control teams. Special inspection drives have been launched, with flying squads comprising agricultural development officers, district quality control officers, and taluka inspectors actively monitoring fertiliser sales and stock. The Zilla Parishad Agriculture Department has also launched a blog to provide farmers with real-time updates on fertiliser availability across all licensed centres in the district. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hospitality boom heats up in twin cities
1 2 Ahmedabad: The twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, positioning as a strategic business and tourism hub, are all set to add about 1,000 new branded room keys with global hotel chains expanding their presence and several properties being rebranded or revamped in this region. Ahmedabad – a potential host city for the 2036 Olympics, if India secures the bid – is seeing its skyline change. Leading the change is Marriott International, which recently unveiled a revamped Le Méridien hotel in Ramdevnagar, offering 164 keys. Formerly operating as Courtyard by Marriott, the property has been redesigned with an upscale aesthetic and renewed focus on guest experience. Another Courtyard property on Sindhu Bhawan Road has been deflagged and is reportedly undergoing a complete transformation under a new brand, sources told TOI. "The Ahmedabad market is maturing fast. We're seeing demand from not only business travellers but also lifestyle-conscious guests. That's pushing owners to rethink brand positioning," said an industry insider. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhawan Road, in particular, is emerging as a hospitality hotspot. With office towers, luxury residences, and retail zones rapidly developing, hotel brands are moving in. Hyatt is likely to launch a Hyatt Place on this stretch, adding to its existing pipeline of projects in Sanand and the fast-growing GIFT City, as is learnt from source. "This rise in activity comes as Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar is being reshaped into a major business district. If India wins the 2036 Olympic bid, the region will likely see accelerated infrastructure investments and increased global visibility. There's a long-term view now: developers, brands, and investors are aligning to ensure that the region meets international hospitality standards," said travel industry expert Ankit Bajaj. TOI has also learnt that Marriott is in talks to add another property in the city along SG Highway under its MHRS (Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites) portfolio, as part of a broader push into high-growth Indian cities. Similarly, Hilton is exploring a second project in Ahmedabad following the success of its DoubleTree by Hilton at Bopal-Ambli Road. The group has already announced expansion plans across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar under its Hampton brand. Email queries to Marriott and Hilton seeking specific details on their expansion plans went unanswered. In another sign of momentum, luxury hospitality player Atmosphere Core is considering entering Ahmedabad, claim industry insiders. Known for its experiential properties across South Asia, its arrival would further diversify the city's offerings. As Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar emerge as a business and administrative capital with GIFT City rising as a fintech nucleus, the hospitality sector in this market is redefining urban development and the scale of luxury offerings here. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
