India's pharmaceutical industry is bracing for a potential raw material crunch following a directive from the Department of Fertilizers that restricts the sale of surplus ammonia strictly for fertilizer production. This advisory prioritizes ammonia supply to phosphorus and potassium (P&K) and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) manufacturers, raising alarm among drugmakers who rely on ammonia for producing a wide range of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Namit Joshi, chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), expressed concerns that the directive could lead to significant shortages in the pharmaceutical sector. The order follows a March 9 gazette notification mandating that natural gas supplied to fertilizer plants be used solely for fertilizer production. Industry executives warn that this could disrupt domestic production, delay order fulfillment, and strain relationships with international buyers. Pharmexcil plans to address these concerns with the government, emphasizing the critical role ammonia plays in the synthesis of various APIs and formulations.