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Enewspolar Khabarhub English.MakaluKhabar.com Khoj Samachar
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Started 1 week ago · Updated 15 hours ago

Nepali Pharmaceutical Industry Demands Curb on Foreign Medicine Imports

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Nepali pharmaceutical manufacturers are urging the government to restrict imports of foreign medicines, particularly those already produced domestically, to protect the struggling local industry. They advocate for policies that prioritize internal production and suggest importing only raw materials for medicines manufactured in Nepal. The industry claims that competition from cheaper imported drugs has led to factory closures and underutilization of production capacity.

  • Around 100 pharmaceutical industries operate in Nepal, with 10 having closed and 50 others facing imminent closure due to competition from imported medicines.
  • Operating factories are running at only 30-40 percent of their capacity, with former APPON president Jinarayan Bahadur Chhetri citing competition from imported medicines as the primary barrier.
  • Nepali manufacturers face higher production costs due to smaller market volumes and are burdened by customs duties and VAT on packaging materials, while finished imported medicines have lower duties.
  • Medicines from approximately 200 foreign industries, including those from India, are imported into Nepal, contributing to the pressure on domestic producers.

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India Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal Jinarayan Bahadur Chhetri Nepal

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