RAS question
India is often called the 'Pharmacy of the World' primarily because:
Correct answer: (B) India is the largest producer and exporter of generic medicines in the world.
India is called the Pharmacy of the World because it is the largest global supplier of generic medicines, accounting for around 20% of global supply by volume.
Explanation
India's Pharmacy of the World label is mainly about scale, affordability and quality in generic medicines. The PIB source states that India's standing is rooted in affordable pricing and assured quality, which makes Indian medicines widely preferred in global markets. India is the largest global supplier of generic medicines, accounting for around 20% of global supply and manufacturing about 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories. Indian pharma exports exceed $25 billion annually, and India supplies 60% of the world's vaccines. Taken together, the title points to India's export-oriented strength in low-cost, quality generics, not to medicine imports or domestic consumption.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) India is described as an exporter and global supplier of medicines, so importing the most medicines is the opposite of the reason for this title.
- (C) Per capita medicine consumption does not explain the label; India's Pharmacy of the World status rests on global supply of generic medicines.
- (D) India is not known here for manufacturing only branded medicines; the cited basis is its large-scale supply of generic medicines.
Concept
This tests the Science and Technology syllabus area linking India's pharmaceutical industry with public health and exports. It recurs in RAS because generic medicines, vaccines and affordable healthcare connect industrial capacity with welfare policy.