KATHMANDU, March 6: Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON) said on Friday that there will not be shortage of medicines for next three months in Nepal stating that the private sector drugs manufacturers have enough stocks

The APPON's statement comes after India started limiting the export of 26 various types of medicines.

General Secretary of the APPON Biplab Adhikari, Nepali manufacturers are producing 75% drugs in the country itself.

Meanwhile, the former president of APPON Deepak Prasad Dahal shared that Nepal has imported 38 metric tons of paracetamol in Januarly alone.

"The private sector drugs manufacturers have enough stocks currently. I believe that there will not be shortage of medicines for the next three months," he opined.

The APPON general secretary suggested the government to encourage domestic manufacturers rather than importing medicines from foreign countries.

Amid coronavirus outbreak, India has banned the export of 26 medicines and related formulations that are used mainly for immediate cure against the COVID-19. Citing a hike in demand for the medicines because of the fast-spreading coronavirus, the Indian government on Tuesday imposed restrictions on the export of finished pharmaceutical products including Paracetamol, Tinidazole, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Erythromycin salts. 

Similarly, the southern neighbor has also banned the export of specified Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and formulations made from these ingredients until further notice.

As per Depart of Drugs, there are 78 pharmaceutical companies operating in the country. Based on the capacity of these companies, the country is self-reliant in general medicines, according to a government report. 

The country imports raw materials from India, China, the USA and a number of European countries, according to the manufacturers.

 
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