The 9th edition of India Pharma 2026, the flagship event of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, commenced in New Delhi. Organized in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the two-day conference (April 13–14) brings together key stakeholders from across the global pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem. Notably, the event focuses on innovation, self-reliance, and strengthening India’s global leadership.
India Positioned for Next Phase of Pharmaceutical Growth
Addressing the inaugural session virtually, J. P. Nadda emphasised that the platform reflects the growing global relevance of India’s pharmaceutical sector. He highlighted that while India has long been known as the “pharmacy of the world” due to its dominance in affordable generics, the global industry is now shifting towards biologics, biosimilars, and specialty medicines.
Therefore, he stated that India is well-positioned not only to adapt but also to emerge as a global leader in this evolving landscape. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to innovation by highlighting the Biopharma Shakti Initiative, with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore, aimed at strengthening biopharmaceutical research and development.
Policy Push to Strengthen Research and Manufacturing
In addition, the Minister underscored complementary initiatives such as the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector, which aims to enhance industry–academia collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative therapies.
At the same time, the government continues to prioritise domestic manufacturing through schemes like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme and the development of bulk drug parks. These efforts aim to boost self-reliance and build resilient supply chains.
Moreover, he reiterated the government’s commitment to affordable healthcare through the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, which expands access to quality medicines at affordable prices nationwide.
India’s Transition to a Biopharma Innovation Hub
Meanwhile, Anupriya Patel highlighted that India is transitioning from a global generics leader to an emerging biopharma innovation hub. Currently, India contributes nearly 20% of global generic medicines and meets around 70% of global vaccine demand, demonstrating its strong manufacturing base.
Looking ahead, she pointed out that the global biosimilars market is projected to reach $75 billion by 2030. Additionally, she noted that innovative drugs account for nearly 87% of the global pharmaceutical market value. Consequently, she stressed the need for India to intensify its focus on innovation-driven segments.
Embracing AI and Strengthening Talent
Furthermore, Ms. Patel emphasised the growing role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development. She highlighted the importance of strengthening human capital through premier institutions such as National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and Indian Institutes of Technology to support advanced research and innovation.
Call for Faster Innovation and Stronger Ecosystems
Echoing similar sentiments, Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, stressed the need to accelerate innovation timelines. He also called for strengthening startup ecosystems, improving clinical trial infrastructure, and enhancing funding mechanisms through closer collaboration between industry and government.
Regulatory Reforms to Enable Innovation
At the same time, Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the regulatory ecosystem. She noted that recent measures aim to streamline approval processes and improve the ease of conducting research, thereby transforming India from the “pharmacy of the world” to an “innovator for the world.”
Industry Perspective on Growth and Collaboration
From an industry standpoint, Arjun Juneja highlighted India’s strong pharmaceutical base, which includes over 3,000 companies and more than 10,500 manufacturing facilities. Notably, India also has the highest number of USFDA-compliant plants outside the United States. Therefore, he emphasised the need for deeper collaboration between Indian and global players to drive innovation-led growth.
Shaping the Future of India’s Pharma Sector
As per the press release, the conference will feature discussions on policy frameworks, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, next-generation technologies, and strategies to enhance India’s global competitiveness in life sciences. As a result, India Pharma 2026 is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future roadmap of the pharmaceutical sector and reinforcing India’s position as a global healthcare leader.