India will take up with Brazil the barriers faced by Indian pharmaceutical companies, including procedural delays, and the consequent increase in costs of exports.

The procedural delays happen during inspections, clearances and registration by the Brazilian authorities.

The issue is part of India's campaign in Latin America to boost its pharma exports, including generic drugs, as the sector also faces similar non-tariff barriers in other Latin American countries.

This will be high on the agenda at the bilateral discussions during the June 9-15 visit to Brazil by the Commerce Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, official sources said. Indian pharma sector representatives, who will be part of the delegation, will also look at joint venture opportunities.

To reduce procedural delays, which stretch to as much as 2-3 years, India will ask Brazil to waive inspections of those Indian pharma units approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and by similar agencies in the UK, Australia and Europe.

Also, India would urge Brazil to recognise ‘Indian Pharmacopoeia' (official copy of drug standards) and not insist on the standards of the US or the UK as Indian Pharmacopoeia has incorporated international standards, industry sources said.

The drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals sector has been struggling to make inroads into the Latin American and Caribbean market as shipments to that region were only $639 million in 2010-11. However, during the period, such exports to North America, European Union and Africa were $2.3 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion respectively.

In Latin America, Brazil is a key market as it ranks sixth in the top destination countries of India's pharma exports after the US, the UK, Russia, Germany and South Africa.

Exports of these products to Brazil were $203.5 million in 2010-11, though it is way behind the leading destination, the US, with $2.17 billion.

> arun.s@thehindu.co.in

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