Pharmaceutical Industry — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

Focus on memorizing specific data points: 50% global vaccine supply, 40% US generic drugs, $25.4 billion exports (FY 2022-23), 384 medicines under DPCO 2013, 68% API imports from China. Master regulatory framework acronyms: CDSCO, NPPA, NLEM, DPCO, PLI.

Understand key policy years: 1970 (Patents Act), 1991 (liberalization), 2005 (TRIPS compliance), 2013 (DPCO revision). Practice elimination techniques by understanding what each regulatory body does - CDSCO (approvals), NPPA (pricing), Pharmexcil (exports).

Common traps include confusing CDSCO with NPPA functions, mixing up export percentages for different regions, and incorrect patent law timelines. Use process of elimination for questions on government schemes by understanding their specific objectives - PLI (API manufacturing), bulk drug parks (infrastructure), Vaccine Maitri (diplomacy).