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The Union ministry of commerce and industry has imposed Minimum Import Price (MIP) for three active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) - penicillins and its salts, amoxycillin and its salts, and 6-APA - restricting imports of these products valued under the MIP for a period of one year.
The MIP for penicillin G-potassium has been fixed as Rs. 2,216 per kilogram, amoxycillin trihydrate as Rs. 2,733 per kilogram, and 6-APA as Rs. 3,405 per kilogram, according to a notification issued on January 29, 2026.
"The Import of Penicillin G-potassium (PEN-G) falling under ITC HS code 29411010, 6-APA falling under ITC HS code 29411050, and amoxicilline trihydrate falling under ITC HS code 29411030 , having CIF value of less than Rs. 2,216/- per kilogram, Rs. 3,405/- per kilogram and Rs. 2,733/-per kilogram respectively, are "Restricted" for a period of one year from the date of publication of this notification," said the Ministry. The restrictions shall take effect immediately.
However, this restriction will not be applicable for import by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs), units in the SEZ and imports under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, subject to the condition that the imported inputs are not sold into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
It may be noted that the Central Government has initiated the process of imposing MIP on certain APIs and intermediates, including those used for manufacturing of antibiotics, aiming at providing further support to manufacturing of these raw materials in the country.
The aim is to impose an MIP to discourage large-scale import of these raw materials, largely from China, which may impact the sustainability of domestic producers.
This is expected to help the Indian firms which are setting up and producing these bulk drugs under the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical key starting materials (KSMs)/drug intermediates (DIs) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in India, implemented to improve self-reliance and reduce import dependence on these raw materials.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has, in 2025, approached various stakeholders with detailed proposals to impose the MIP, seeking their inputs and objections related to the imposition.
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