Apr 14 (BNP): The 9th edition of India Pharma 2026 began in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and global stakeholders to discuss the future of India’s pharmaceutical industry.
The two-day conference, organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in collaboration with FICCI and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, focuses on strengthening innovation, research, self-reliance, and India’s global competitiveness in healthcare.
Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister J. P. Nadda said India’s pharmaceutical sector is undergoing a major transformation from being the “pharmacy of the world” to an innovation-driven hub. He highlighted government efforts to boost research and development, biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies, along with initiatives such as the Biopharma Shakti programme, the PRIP scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and bulk drug parks.
Minister of State Anupriya Patel said India is steadily evolving from a generics-led industry to a biopharma innovation hub. She noted that the country currently supplies around 20 per cent of global generic medicines and meets nearly 70 per cent of global vaccine demand, while expanding its focus on high-value segments like biologics and biosimilars.
Officials including Manoj Joshi and Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the need to strengthen research infrastructure, accelerate innovation, and improve regulatory processes to support long-term sector growth.
Industry leaders also pointed to India’s strong manufacturing ecosystem, which includes thousands of pharmaceutical companies and a large number of internationally compliant facilities, reinforcing the country’s position in global supply chains.
The conference will continue over two days with discussions on artificial intelligence in drug discovery, policy frameworks, and strategies to enhance India’s role as a global leader in life sciences.
