How Companies in Singapore Can Source Pharma Products & CDMO Services from India

The pharmaceutical market in Singapore is highly developed and regulated, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Singapore has a very well-developed healthcare infrastructure, a large expatriate population and an increasing demand for specialty pharmaceuticals, all of which create a strong reliance on consistent global supply, including higher-end imports from India.

India has become a leading supplier of generic pharmaceuticals, oncology injectables and injection drugs, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biosimilars and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) to developed markets around the world. The expanded India-Singapore relationship is primarily based upon corporations in Singapore working together with Indian manufacturers to achieve cost savings, high-quality products and industry-leading regulatory practices aligned with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The information contained in this guide will provide insight into how Singaporean companies may find the safest, easiest and most compliant method of sourcing pharmaceuticals and CDMO services from India.

Why Singaporean Companies Source From India

1. High-Quality, Regulated Manufacturing

Many Indian facilities meet stringent global quality standards:

• USFDA
• EU-GMP
• MHRA
• TGA
• WHO-GMP
• PIC/S

This makes Indian suppliers attractive for Singapore’s regulated environment.

2. Significant Cost Advantage

India’s pricing can be 30–50% lower than Western suppliers, even for high-quality, regulated-market products — including oncology, injectables, and specialty medicines.

3. Strong API & Formulation Capabilities

Indian companies support a large global share of:

• Oncology APIs
• Antibiotic APIs
• Antidiabetic APIs
• Cardiovascular APIs
• Complex generics
• Sterile injectables

4. Experience With HSA Singapore Regulatory Requirements

Indian manufacturers are experienced in:

• eCTD dossier submissions
• GMP clearance
• DMF support
• Import licensing
• Product variation processes

5. Advanced CDMO Capabilities

India is an emerging CDMO hub offering:

• Formulation development
• Scale-up manufacturing
• Sterile injectables
• Hormonal drugs
• Biosimilars
• Packaging & labeling

For Singaporean health brands, India offers premium-quality manufacturing at competitive cost.

What Singapore Commonly Sources From India

1. APIs (High Demand)

Top APIs include:

• Oncology APIs
• Antibiotics (Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin)
• Metformin
• Pantoprazole
• Atorvastatin
• Diclofenac
• Immunosuppressants (for selected facilities)

2. Finished Pharmaceutical Products

India supplies:

• Oncology generics
• Anti-infectives
• Chronic care medicines
• Sterile injectables
• Complex generics
• Biosimilars

3. OTC & Wellness Products

Singaporean wellness and DTC brands source from India:

• Vitamins
• Collagen
• Herbal supplements
• Immunity boosters
• Functional foods

4. Hospital Supplies

• IV sets
• Syringes
• Surgical disposables
• Diagnostics consumables

5. CDMO / Private Label Manufacturing

Indian CDMOs support:

• Private-label OTC products
• Nutraceutical capsules, powders, and liquids
• Medical devices
• Cosmetics & derma products

What Singapore Commonly Sources From India

1. APIs (High Demand)

Top APIs include:

• Oncology APIs
• Antibiotics (Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin)
• Metformin
• Pantoprazole
• Atorvastatin
• Diclofenac
• Immunosuppressants (for selected facilities)

2. Finished Pharmaceutical Products

India supplies:

• Oncology generics
• Anti-infectives
• Chronic care medicines
• Sterile injectables
• Complex generics
• Biosimilars

3. OTC & Wellness Products

Singaporean wellness and DTC brands source from India:

• Vitamins
• Collagen
• Herbal supplements
• Immunity boosters
• Functional foods

4. Hospital Supplies

• IV sets
• Syringes
• Surgical disposables
• Diagnostics consumables

5. CDMO / Private Label Manufacturing

Indian CDMOs support:

• Private-label OTC products
• Nutraceutical capsules, powders, and liquids
• Medical devices
• Cosmetics & derma products

Logistics From India to Singapore

India and Singapore have extremely efficient trade routes with fast air cargo and regular sea shipments.

Major Indian Export Ports

• Mumbai (Nhava Sheva / JNPT)
• Delhi airport
• Hyderabad airport (major pharma hub)
• Bangalore airport
• Chennai

Transit Times

Air Freight:

• 2–4 days (most common for Singapore)
• Ideal for APIs, injectables, high-value shipments

Sea Freight:

• 8–12 days (Nhava Sheva → Singapore)
• Suitable for large volume OTC and generics

Legal & Regulatory Overview (Singapore – HSA)

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has one of Asia’s strictest regulatory systems.

1. Product Registration Requirements

HSA may require:

• eCTD dossier
• GMP compliance (EU/USFDA preferred)
• Stability data
• API documentation (DMF/ASMF)
• Samples for evaluation
• Labeling & PIL approval

2. Local Authorised Representative (AR) / MAH

Singapore requires a local:

• Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH)
• Responsible Person for registration

This entity manages:

• Pharmacovigilance
• Complaints
• Variations

3. Labeling & Packaging Requirements

Singapore requires:

• English labeling
• Approved package insert
• Storage conditions
• Batch details
• Registration number

4. Inspecting Foreign GMP

HSA may request:

• GMP evidence
• Audit reports
• PIC/S documentation
• QMS details

5. Renewal & Variations

Products must be renewed after the registration cycle.
Variations require supporting documentation.

6. Indian Supplier Support

Most Indian suppliers already supply to regulated markets and provide:

• eCTD
• Validation documents
• QMS files
• Full regulatory packs

✅ Best Practices for Singaporian Buyers

• Verify EU-GMP status
• Request last audit report
• Review quality systems
• Run a small pilot batch
• Set clear timelines and SOPs
• Consider dual sourcing for risk control

These steps help ensure long-term, stable partnerships.

India represents a highly trusted and strategic sourcing partner for Singaporean companies. Indian manufacturers provide USFDA and EU GMP compliant products at highly competitive pricing while maintaining an exceptional level of expertise in advanced formulations and APIs.

By partnering with Indian manufacturers for sourcing key raw materials and finished dosage forms such as APIs, oncology injectables, generic formulations, nutraceuticals and many more products that are offered through private-label or manufacturing agreements in India, Singaporean companies will have the opportunity to create significant competitive advantage.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Singapore import medicines directly from India?

Yes. India is a major supplier to Singapore, especially for APIs and injectables.

2. Do Indian manufacturers support HSA documentation?

Yes. Many Indian plants already supply regulated markets and have eCTD-ready files.

3. What are typical shipping times?

• Air: 2–4 days

• Sea: 8–12 days

4. What are typical MOQs?

• Tablets: 100k+ units

• Injectables: 5k–20k vials

• APIs: 25–50 kg

5. Is English labeling mandatory?

Yes. Singapore requires English-only pharmaceutical labeling.

6. Can Indian CDMOs support private-label products for Singapore?

Absolutely — especially:

• Nutraceuticals

• OTC

• Cosmetics & derma

• Generics (with HSA approval)

7. What documents are required for import?

COA, GMP, COPP, COO, invoice, packing list, BL/AWB, eCTD (if registering).

8. Are Indian APIs accepted in Singapore’s local manufacturing?

Yes — provided the API manufacturer meets PIC/S GMP or equivalent.