Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are a crucial component in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, referring to various chemical substances and materials required to produce drugs. While active pharmaceutical ingredients themselves do not have therapeutic effects, they are indispensable in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process.

So, are active pharmaceutical ingredients considered drugs? This question involves the definition of drugs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drugs are substances or products used to treat, prevent, diagnose, and relieve diseases. Based on this definition, APIs cannot be defined as drugs because they do not have direct therapeutic or preventive effects.

However, in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, active pharmaceutical ingredients are essential. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use active pharmaceutical ingredients to make drugs, which have therapeutic and preventive effects. Therefore, although APIs themselves are not drugs, they are an indispensable component in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process.

In overseas markets, the demand for APIs is significant. Many countries lack their own raw material production capabilities and need to import APIs from overseas. In addition, due to regulatory restrictions in certain countries, some drugs may not be able to be produced or sold in those countries, necessitating the importation of raw materials from other countries.

However, the price of active pharmaceutical ingredients fluctuates significantly in overseas markets. This is because the price of APIs is influenced by various factors, including supply and demand, policies and regulations, market competition, and more. Additionally, there may be differences in quality among different countries, leading to price differences for raw materials.

In summary, although APIs are not drugs, they are an indispensable component in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. In overseas markets, the demand for raw materials is significant, but the price of APIs fluctuates significantly. For pharmaceutical companies, reasonable procurement and management of APIs are essential for ensuring drug quality and reducing production costs.