Govt Urges Pharma Industry to Move Beyond Manufacturing to Global Innovation Hub

India’s pharmaceutical sector, long recognized as the “pharmacy of the world,” is now being urged by the government to anchor global supply chains through quality assurance, innovation, and sustainable practices. Commerce and health policymakers emphasized that India must transition from being primarily a low-cost manufacturer to becoming a research-driven global leader.

The government has introduced schemes such as the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP), the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program, and the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years. These policies aim to strengthen India’s ecosystem for biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies, while ensuring compliance with international standards.

Key Highlights

• Policy Push: Govt urges pharma industry to lead global supply chains.
• Focus Areas: Quality, innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
• PRIP Scheme: Promotes R&D in pharma and medtech.
• PLI Program: Incentivizes manufacturing and innovation.
• Biopharma SHAKTI: ₹10,000 crore initiative to boost biologics and biosimilars.
• Global Vision: India aims to capture 5% of global biopharma market share.

This call reflects India’s ambition to move up the value chain, positioning its pharma industry as a trusted global partner in innovation, quality, and supply chain reliability.

Sources: ETHealthWorld – Budget 2026 Pharma Outlook; ET Edge Insights – Pharma Innovation Blueprint; Budget 2026 Biopharma SHAKTI Coverage