Pharmexcil Encourages Reapplication for Critical API PLI Benefits

• Pharmexcil urges pharma firms to reapply under the PLI scheme
• Strengthens India’s pharmaceutical supply chain resilience
• Includes key drugs like erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline

The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has advised its members to freshly apply again to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. The scheme, considered to stand-in domestic manufacturing of significant starting materials (KSMs), drug intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), their main goal to reduce India's dependency on imports and improve resourcefulness in pharmaceutical raw materials.

Raja Bhanu, Director General of Pharmexcil, highlighted the importance of this opportunity for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers to level up their production of significant drug components. He also underlined that this initiative makes parallel with India’s broader goal of securing its pharmaceutical supply chain and strengthening global competitiveness. Bhanu encouraged all eligible companies to capitalize on this opportunity, mentioning this PLI scheme is a dynamic step toward creating a strong, self-sustaining domestic pharmaceutical industry.

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Pharmexcil has advised members to carefully review the list of eligible products, production capacities, and available openings for each category. The scheme is not only seen as a funding program but as a strategic investment to enhance India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, helps to develop as a global leader.

Among the entitled products under this round of the scheme are fermentation-based KSMs and APIs such as erythromycin thiocyanate, neomycin, gentamycin, clindamycin base, streptomycin, and tetracycline, with specific annual production capacity requirements. There are opportunities provided in chemical synthesis-based KSMs, such as ciprofloxacin and diclofenac sodium. These products are important to improving India’s role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Applications for the enrollment must be submitted by June 14, 2025, and there are no exceptions for late or incomplete submissions.