Title: An analysis of Indian pharmaceutical exports to East African community

Authors: Navneet Gera; Swati Rohatgi; Saket Rohatgi

Addresses: Jagannanth International Management School, MOR Pocket 105, Kalkaji, New Delhi – 110019, India ' Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management and Research, A-4, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi – 110063, India ' HCL Technologies, Sector – 126, Noida, India

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the competitiveness of India's pharmaceutical exports to the East African community (EAC), using Balassa's revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and trade intensity index (TII). The research focused on six-digit HS codes 300410, 300420, 300450, and 300490 related to pharmaceuticals, namely penicillin, antibiotics (other than penicillin), vitamins, and medicaments, respectively. The data used were collected from 2011 to 2020. The results confirm that HS code 300410 (containing penicillin or derivatives thereof, with a penicillanic acid structure, or streptomycins or their derivatives) is the most competitive, based on RCA and TII values, and exporters should reap the benefits in the EAC. Based on the results of TII, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have the highest TII in HS Code 300450, followed by Rwanda and Burundi, which have high TII in HS Code 300410. This study contributes significantly to exporters and policymakers on HS codes, which are relevant for pharmaceutical exporters in the East African community.

Keywords: Indian pharmaceutical exports; revealed comparative advantage; RCA; trade intensity index; TII; East African community; ECA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2026.151693

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2026 Vol.51 No.2, pp.160 - 185

Received: 02 Feb 2022
Accepted: 05 Jun 2022
Published online: 16 Feb 2026 *

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