Russia’s request to Pharmexcil, the government’s pharmaceutical export promotion agency, through the Indian Embassy in Moscow, came as Russia faces Western sanctions over its invasion of India. Ukraine.

The country’s drug export promotion body has received a communication from the embassy requesting supplies from Indian companies for essential drugs and medical equipment.

“Pharmexcil has received communication from the Indian Embassy in Moscow that various companies related to pharmaceuticals, medical devices and related equipment are inquiring about supplies from India. While some of them needed help in obtaining suppliers of certain particular pharmaceutical products, others are interested in distributing them,” according to an April 7 letter from Pharmexcil to its members. “Members interested in these opportunities can directly contact the companies mentioned in the attachment,” the communication said.

According to Pharmexcil’s communication, the Russian firms are New Technologies, Pharmamed Co, Appolo, Pharmstandard and Simkodent. Russia is India’s fourth largest drug export destination. India exported drugs worth over $591 million to Russia in FY21, a 7% increase from the previous year. Preliminary figures for pharmaceutical exports are $597 million for 2021-2022.

Recently, State Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Sri Lanka had also contacted Pharmexcil to “sensitize” its members on the need to ensure the medical supply of the island nation in crisis.

Pharmexcil officials said it is very rare to receive such requests from Russia.

“This is the first time that Russia has requested supplies of pharmaceuticals from India. Previously, Russia never used to make such requests to India for pharmaceuticals, as it sourced the products from European countries. In addition, Russia is capable of manufacturing many pharmaceutical items. We usually get such export requests from African countries, WHO, Sri Lanka, etc. said Uday Bhaskar, Managing Director of Pharmexcil.

However, it is not uncommon for countries in distress to turn to India, which has become a major supplier of vaccines and medicines in the world.

In addition to drugs, Russia is also looking for medical devices used in departments of surgery for newborns and premature babies, pediatric urology and andrology, neurosurgery, traumatology and surgery, dental, anesthesia and resuscitation, operating theater, intensive care and maxillary surgery. facial. “Russia is exploring different markets for pharmaceutical imports,” an Indian government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Emailed questions to spokespersons at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, the Department of Pharmaceuticals and India’s Ministry of Trade and Industry went unanswered until press time.

Russia has also reached out to Indian retailers and agro-exporters as its department stores ran out of supplies as the European Union halted supplies. Russia has also urged Indian agro and processed food manufacturers and retail associations to set up a joint Indo-Russian agro-industrial park in Lotos, the Astrakhan special economic zone in southern Russia. Russia, to produce foodstuffs, spices and other foods to minimize dependence on food and agri-food imports.

“We expected more exports in FY22, but there is only a marginal increase due to war-related disruptions. I am very confident that our exports to Russia and the Community independent states will increase in FY23,” Bhaskar said.