India Supplies 70% of WHO Vaccines, 14% of US Generic Imports

• India supplies 70% of WHO vaccines and 14% of US generic imports
• Indian Pharmacopoeia is now officially recognized by 15 countries
• India retains WHO's Maturity Level 3 status for regulatory standards

The Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, provided a note to address at the Second Policymakers’ Forum, organized by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. This event brought together drug regulators and policymakers from 24 countries to demonstrate India’s growing leadership in the global health space in general, and pharmaceutical standard-setting in particular.

The support of involvement highlighted the Indian Pharmacopoeia and the support of global partnerships through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) – which is India’s flagship affordable medicine initiative. Smt. Patel advocated for India’s commitment to equitable access to quality-assured medicines, noting that they account for 70 percent of WHO’s vaccines and 14 percent of the US’s generic imports. Additionally, she highlighted India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative, which supplied COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries as evidence of India’s global health solidarity.

Patel noted India’s strong regulatory standing, with the country maintaining WHO’s Maturity Level 3 status under the Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT). Fifteen countries, including Cuba, now recognize the Indian Pharmacopoeia as an official standard.

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Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava reinforced India’s “One Earth, One Health” vision and highlighted progress under schemes like Ayushman Bharat and AMRIT pharmacies. She shared that health expenditure has dropped from 70 percent in 2004 to 40 percent today due to free diagnostics and increased availability of generic medicines.

Participants will be subjected to technical sessions, visits to IPC labs, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and drug manufacturing and pharmaceutical production facilities, which will promote the exchange of knowledge and collaboration.

The forum represents active Indian engagement in consistent global pharmacopeial standards, increasing drug access, and advancing health equity across countries.