India eyes including PH in pharmaceutical supply chain

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 9) — Several Indian companies are expressing interest to include the Philippines in the supply chain for pharmaceutical products, according to Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran.

In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines, Kumaran said talks are underway on how Manila can take part in this supply value chain.

«There is an interest from India [pharmaceutical] companies to look at the Philippines as a source of some of their raw materials,» the envoy said.

«Discussions on whether we can do some parts of the pharmaceutical value chain in the Philippines are ongoing,» he added.

Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged fellow ASEAN leaders in Cambodia not to miss the opportunity to work with India to become the «pharmacy of the world.»

«ASEAN friends, let us not miss the opportunity of having the 'pharmacy of the world' as our close neighbor and dialogue partner,» Marcos said during the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh in 2022.

«The high cost of life-saving medicines and vaccines are barriers to a healthy population,» he added.