If India can gain access to the market in China, which has about 1.4 billion people, India’s pharmaceutical exports are likely to get a big boost

China has revised its drug laws to reduce penalties for the sale and import of unapproved drugs, sending a signal that the country may take an open mind toward cheaper generic drugs, especially those from India, to give poor and critically ill patients greater opportunities to extend their lives.

India is a leader in the world’s generic drug market. Generics made in India are often as effective as, but much cheaper than, brand-name drugs made in the West. India’s pharmaceutical exports reached $17.3 billion during the period from April 2017 to March 2018, according to media reports.

If India can gain access to the market in China, which has about 1.4 billion people, India’s pharmaceutical exports are likely to get a big boost.

The Chinese black comedy Dying to Survive, which hit Chinese theaters in July 2018, made many Chinese people aware that there is a large demand for India’s generic drugs in China. It seems that the Chinese authorities have noticed this and are trying to find a way to solve this problem.

The latest revision in drug laws is an important step for opening up the Chinese market to India’s generic drugs.

Big demand for India’s generic drugs has promoted the development of underground generics trade in China.

In the future, generics can become a bright spot in India’s exports to China and help narrow the South Asian country’s trade deficit with China.