48 projects approved to ensure uninterrupted supply of critical APIs

New Delhi: Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs) / Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in India, 48 projects have been approved.

This information was disclosed by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question.

The scheme aims to avoid disruption in supply of critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used to make critical drugs for which there are no alternatives by reducing supply disruption risk due to excessive dependence on single source. Products notified and approved under the scheme prior to commencement of production under the PLI scheme were primarily imported.

As of December 2024, against an investment commitment of Rs 3,938.5 crore over the period of six years, investment of Rs 4,254 crore has already been made under the scheme. As a result of the scheme, cumulative sales of Rs 1,556 crore have been reported over the period from the beginning of the scheme till December 2024, including exports of Rs 412 crore, thereby avoiding imports worth Rs 1,144 crore and creating domestic manufacturing capacity for 25 identified KSMs/DIs/APIs.

The 48 projects approved include products such as Penicillin G, Clavulanic Acid, Rifampicin, Betamethasone, Diclofenac sodium, Levofloxacin, Meropenem, and Aspirin. Firms such as Hetero Drugs, Granules India, Lyfius Pharma, Orchid Bio‑Pharma, and MSN Life Sciences are among the approved beneficiaries

Number of measures were taken to enhance awareness and encourage participation in the scheme at the time of the launch of the scheme and various rounds of invitation of applications under it, including the following: