Pharmexcil asks exporters to register their products with Namibia directly to boost export

Mumbai, October 27, 2021:

With an aim to increase Indian pharmaceutical exports to Namibia, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has called on Indian drug exporters to register their products with the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) directly rather than exporting through other countries.

Besides this, Pharmexcil is also looking for fast-track approval for Indian pharma products in the southwest African country.

“Currently, very few Indian pharma products have been registered with NMRC as our pharma products are mostly exported through South Africa and other African countries to Namibia. With the direct product registration with NMRC, the Indian pharma products can be directly exported to the southwest African country thus boosting our exports,” said Uday Bhaskar, director-general, Pharmexcil.

Presently, the medicinal requirement of Namibia is largely being met by South Africa and European countries.

“We have also appealed to NMRC to provide fast track approval to Indian products which have already been approved by the regulatory bodies like EMA, US FDA. It will provide greater market access to Indian pharma products,” said director-general, Pharmexcil.

The Republic of Namibia represents one of the most diverse medical markets in the world largely because of the dominance of South Africa. With a population of 2.5 million and a GDP of US$ 10.70 billion, the Namibian pharmaceutical market (US$ 300 million), which is a prescription market presents a small, but potentially attractive market to Indian companies, particularly as a gateway to the Southern Africa region. Those who are setting up manufacturing plants in the country will be able to service the entire African market, said Bhaskar.

India’s export of pharmaceuticals is to the tune of US$ 30.13 million during the year 2020-21 with a growth rate of 17 per cent over 2019-20. As seen in other developing countries, the burden of communicable diseases in Namibia exceeds that of non-communicable diseases.

The High Commission of India is working towards greater access for Indian generic medicines in Namibia, which is possible through regular interactions and joint collaborations with emerging local firms.

With this initiative, the High Commission of India, Namibia in association with Pharmexcil has held a webinar on “India-Namibia Pharmaceutical Cooperation” followed by a business meet on October 14, 2021 virtually.

The webinar covered the business opportunities and registration procedures of Namibia. Prashant Agrawal, High Commissioner of India to Namibia, Dr Bernard Haifuku, former health minister of Namibia, Raj Rallan, president, India-Namibia Chamber of Commerce & Industry took part in the meet which has witnessed participation of around 100 Indian pharma exporters especially MSMEs and more than 30 pharma importers and distributors from Namibia.

The webinar aimed at creating awareness among Indian exporters about product registration procedures in Namibia, networking with the regulatory agency of the African country and fast tracking approval for Indian products.

 PharmaBiz