Takeover of domestic pharma companies by foreign firms a concern: Sharma

04 Jun 2013 Evaluate

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said, although the government welcomes foreign direct investments (FDI) into the pharma sector but there are concerns that generic drugs market could be adversely hit if overseas players fully acquire local companies. Meanwhile, India allows 100 percent FDI through the automatic route in green-field projects while for brown-field projects; approval has to be sought from the government.

By adding further, Sharma said, only area of concern for the government is complete takeovers as pharma is a growing industry and we have to protect the domestic players particularly generics so that Indian pharmaceutical industry continue to grow.

India is one of the world's biggest markets for generic drugs and allows 100 percent FDI through automatic route in pharma green-field projects under automatic route. However, last year, the government had decided that all foreign investments in existing domestic pharma firms should be allowed only after clearance by the FIPB, amid mounting concerns over availability of affordable essential drugs in the wake of multinationals acquiring local companies.

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