I am a master in India

Chapter 44: Not Making Money for the First Time
Inside the house, Pant waved to the servant, who soon brought a full set of hookahs.

He mixed the hemp and opium together, wrapped a little of it around the end of a matchstick, and lit another match to burn it.

A strange smell mixed with the scent of jasmine. Pant picked up the funnel-shaped tube and took a deep breath.

The rising blue smoke was disturbed by the slowly rotating fan above the head.

"Would you like a puff?" He handed over the pipe with a dazed look in his eyes.

Ron shook his head, then looked at Luca beside him.

"I" Luca wanted to refuse, but he didn't know if this was an Indian custom.

In order not to annoy the person in front of him, he gritted his teeth and leaned over to take a sip.

A pungent smell exploded in his chest, and everything Luca saw began to distort and become a mass of hallucinations.

It took two full minutes for everything to return to normal, and during this time, Pant and Ron stared at him without speaking.

"This thing is so powerful." Luca looked like he had survived a disaster.

"This is authentic Indian product, the best!" Pant said with pride.

Perhaps it was because Luca's actions had won his favor, but the atmosphere in the room had noticeably relaxed.

"What medicine do you need?"

"Tumors, lymphoma, and heart disease all require prescription drugs."

Ron handed over the list he had prepared long ago. It was a bit troublesome to buy these medicines at the pharmacy outside.

Because prescription drugs must have a doctor's certificate, whether in India or other countries.

But it is precisely because of the trouble that these generic drugs become profitable.

Pant just glanced at it and asked nonchalantly, "How much?"

"Thirty treatments for each."

"Tumor and lymphatic medications are 1500 rupees a box, heart medication is 600, and cholesterol medication is 800." Pant clicked on the calculator rapidly and showed them the final result. "16 rupees."

Ron quickly calculated in his mind. This price was not cheaper than outside, and some were even slightly more expensive.

"How effective are they? We just saw a very bad scene at the pharmacy outside."

"Don't lump me in with them, what those flies sell is garbage!" Pant seemed very angry and felt offended.

"I'm sorry, but this is Luca's first business, and he needs to ensure his reputation before he can open up the market."

"First business?" Pant couldn't help but stop complaining.

"Yes, he's Brazilian." Ron winked at Luca.

The latter immediately responded, "I am familiar with all the South American countries."

"South America?" Pant's attitude changed significantly.

"Yes, Brazil is my home base. The population there is very large, and the economy is not that developed. In short, you know, it's a perfect soil!"

Why is the demand for generic drugs growing every year? Because there are still many poor people in the world who cannot afford medical treatment.

Brand name medicines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a bottle, but even in developed European and American countries, many people still cannot afford them.

What about less economically developed South America? Brazil has a population of over 100 million, and Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela also have tens of millions. Can they afford brand-name drugs that cost hundreds of dollars?

Pant put down his hookah and rubbed his big belly vigorously with his fat hands, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Go and get the medicine!" he shouted to the servant.

Ron and Luca looked at each other, both secretly expecting a surprise to be waiting for them next.

As it turned out, the servant did not disappoint.

"Look! Ranbaxy, Cipla, and Sun." Pant waved the packaging box in his hand. "These medicines are from the best pharmaceutical companies in India. They are exactly the same as those imported drugs!"

Excellent! Ron had heard of these companies before; they represented the most advanced Indian pharmaceutical companies. The packaging looked exquisite, labeled in both Hindi and English, and was no less impressive than brand-name medications.

Luca no longer had any doubts at this point. He had done his homework before coming here, and these pharmaceutical companies were his most ideal suppliers.

"You just said you were planning to start this business in South America?" Pant glared at him with bulging eyes.

“Yes, I think it has great potential.”

"Of course! Medicines are just as profitable as gold! I'll give you the lowest price, as low as my purchase price!"

"What?" Luca stammered.

"7 rupees, you can take this batch of goods, but you have to agree to one condition of mine."

"Please say."

"All your business in South America must be sourced from me. As long as the quantity is large enough, I'll give you a 7% discount on top of the lowest price."

Pant decided not to make a profit on this first transaction. He wanted to let the customer take the product away to prove its efficacy before discussing further business.

He was a distributor, dealing in bulk. As long as the South American market could keep up with the shipment volume, he was willing to give him a 30% discount.

It was very tempting. Pant gave up 30% of the profits with just one sentence, which also made Ron and others realize the huge profits in the pharmaceutical industry.

Luca agreed without much thought. He had no other connections in Mumbai, and this was a rare opportunity.

"The medicine will be ready tomorrow. You can come again or tell me an address."

"Can you deliver to my door?" Luca's eyes lit up.

Pant glanced at him and sneered, "This is only for Mumbai. If it's an international transaction, the price won't be this high, and payment must be in US dollars."

"No problem, Mumbai is not bad either." Luca said with a wry smile. He thought he could send it directly to South America.

"I think we'll be back again, Nanny." Ron stood up and clasped his hands together.

"Nurse, tear it through," Pant replied, "You speak very authentic Marathi."

"Thank you."

Leaving the yard, Luca fell into endless excitement.

"We're going to get rich! Ron. I've inquired before, and the price Pant gave us was several times lower than the market price! Damn, several times the profit!"

"Pant is a direct distributor from the pharmaceutical factory. He can get the lowest price."

"Thank you Ron, I knew I wouldn't return empty-handed this time."

"As long as you don't forget our agreement."

"Sure, 30% commission, and you help me with customs."

This commission mainly comes from the transactions of Luca and Pant, which sounds high, but in fact it is insignificant compared to the profit Luca will make later.

After getting the cheap generic drugs from India, Luca would sell them in South America at double or triple the price.

This is the bulk of the profit, and Ron only takes a small commission.

"It's going to rain."

"what?"

“The monsoon has arrived in Mumbai.”

Dark clouds that had been lingering in the sky for weeks gathered from the horizon in all directions, seeming to press down on the tall buildings, ready to sweep away everything.

After eight months of dry season, the air was filled with the fragrance of rain, and pedestrians on the road were as excited as if they were drunk.

Mumbai is about to usher in a rare cool season, and everyone is eagerly awaiting it.

(End of this chapter)