The 9th edition of India Pharma 2026, a flagship event of the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, commenced in New Delhi on Monday, bringing together global stakeholders to chart the future of India’s pharmaceutical sector with a strong emphasis on innovation, self-reliance and global leadership.
The two-day conference, organised in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, is focusing on emerging trends such as artificial intelligence in drug discovery, next-generation technologies, and strengthening India’s global competitiveness in life sciences.
Addressing the inaugural session virtually, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said India is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in the evolving pharmaceutical landscape, particularly in biologics, biosimilars and specialty medicines. He noted that while India has earned recognition as the “pharmacy of the world” for its affordable generic medicines, the global shift toward advanced therapies presents new opportunities.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to innovation through initiatives such as the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti programme, aimed at strengthening biopharmaceutical research and capabilities. He also pointed to schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) and the promotion of bulk drug parks to enhance domestic manufacturing and build resilient supply chains.
Reaffirming the focus on affordable healthcare, Nadda underscored the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, which provides quality medicines at affordable prices nationwide.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said India is transitioning from a global generics leader to an emerging biopharma innovation hub. She noted that India currently contributes nearly 20% of global generic medicines and meets about 70% of global vaccine demand, reflecting its strong manufacturing base.
Highlighting future opportunities, she said the global biosimilars market is expected to reach $75 billion by 2030, while innovative drugs account for nearly 87% of global pharmaceutical market value. She stressed the need for India to intensify its focus on innovation-driven segments and strengthen industry-academia collaboration.
Patel also emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and the importance of developing skilled human resources through premier institutions such as NIPERs and IITs.
Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Manoj Joshi called for accelerating innovation timelines, strengthening startup ecosystems and building robust infrastructure for clinical trials and advanced research. He stressed the need for enhanced funding mechanisms and closer collaboration between industry and government.
Echoing similar views, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said efforts are underway to streamline regulatory processes and improve ease of doing research, with the goal of transforming India from the “pharmacy of the world” to an “innovator for the world.”
Industry leaders also highlighted India’s strong pharmaceutical base. Arjun Juneja, Chair, FICCI Pharma Committee and COO, Mankind Pharma, noted that India has over 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and more than 10,500 manufacturing facilities, including the highest number of USFDA-compliant plants outside the United States. He emphasized the importance of deeper global collaboration to drive innovation-led growth.
The Ministry said that the conference will feature deliberations on policy frameworks for innovation, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, next-generation technologies, and strategies to enhance India’s global competitiveness in life sciences. The event 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.
