New Delhi: India’s pharmaceutical exports surged to $30.47 billion in FY 2024–25, marking a 9.4 percent year-on-year growth, as the country strengthens its position as a major global supplier of affordable and high-quality medicines.
The milestone was highlighted during a Chintan Shivir held in Ahmedabad, where senior government officials and industry leaders reviewed strategies to scale up exports and enhance India’s biopharmaceutical capabilities.
India’s Expanding Global Pharma Presence
India’s pharmaceutical industry, currently valued at nearly $60 billion, is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030. The country ranks third globally by volume, exporting medicines to more than 200 countries.
The United States remains India’s largest export destination, accounting for 34 percent of total pharma exports, followed by Europe at 19 percent. Industry representatives expressed confidence in achieving double-digit export growth in 2026–27, supported by regulatory reforms and improved global trade engagement.
₹10,000 Crore Biopharma SHAKTI Initiative
A key announcement at the conclave was the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, unveiled in the Union Budget 2026–27. With a proposed outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, the initiative aims to:
- Strengthen India’s ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars
- Reduce dependence on imported critical biopharma inputs
- Improve competitiveness in global biopharmaceutical supply chains
- Enable India to capture 5 percent of the global biopharma market
Boost to Regulatory and Research Infrastructure
To support sustained export growth, the government outlined several infrastructure and regulatory measures, including:
- Establishment of three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs)
- Upgradation of seven existing NIPERs
- Development of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites
- Capacity expansion of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with specialized scientific manpower
Faster regulatory approvals and global harmonization of standards were identified as critical, especially for MSMEs navigating compliance requirements in regulated markets.
Shift Toward High-Value Exports
Panel discussions emphasized the need for India to transition from volume-led exports to high-value, innovation-driven segments, including:
- Biologics
- Biosimilars
- Advanced and specialty pharmaceutical products
Exporters were also briefed on emerging trade opportunities in the U.S. and European Union, particularly in highly regulated markets.
Strong Industry Participation
The event witnessed participation from key stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL), and nearly 200 pharmaceutical exporters, mainly from western India.
The Ahmedabad deliberations reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s pharmaceutical export ecosystem, improving regulatory predictability, and positioning the country as a trusted global partner in healthcare supply chains.
