New Delhi : The 9th edition of India Pharma 2026, the flagship event of the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, commenced in New Delhi on April 13, 2026. Organised in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the two-day conference brings together global leaders from the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors to deliberate on innovation, self-reliance, and India’s evolving global role.
Addressing the inaugural session virtually, Union Minister J. P. Nadda highlighted the growing global relevance of India’s pharmaceutical industry. He stated that while India has earned the reputation of being the “pharmacy of the world” through its leadership in affordable generic medicines, the global industry is rapidly shifting towards biologics, biosimilars, and specialty drugs. He expressed confidence that India is well-positioned to not only adapt to this transition but also emerge as a global leader in these advanced segments.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to innovation, Shri Nadda highlighted the recently launched Biopharma Shakti Initiative, with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore, aimed at strengthening capabilities in biopharmaceutical research and innovation. He also pointed to complementary initiatives such as the PRIP scheme, which promotes research in pharmaceuticals and medical technology by fostering industry-academia collaboration.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing through initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the development of bulk drug parks, which aim to enhance self-reliance and build resilient supply chains. He reiterated the government’s focus on affordable healthcare through the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, which continues to expand access to quality medicines at affordable prices.
Minister of State Anupriya Patel highlighted India’s transition from a global leader in generics to an emerging hub for biopharmaceutical innovation. She noted that India currently contributes nearly 20 percent of global generic medicines and supplies around 70 percent of the world’s vaccines, underscoring the country’s strong manufacturing base.
Looking ahead, she emphasized the growing demand for biologics and biosimilars, with the global biosimilars market projected to reach $75 billion by 2030. She also pointed out that innovative drugs account for a significant share of the global pharmaceutical market, stressing the need for India to strengthen its focus on innovation-driven segments. She further highlighted the increasing role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and emphasized the importance of building skilled human capital through premier institutions.
Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Manoj Joshi, stressed the need to accelerate innovation timelines, strengthen startup ecosystems, and develop robust infrastructure for clinical trials and advanced research. He called for enhanced funding support and deeper collaboration between industry and government.
Meanwhile, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Punya Salila Srivastava, highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework and streamline approval processes. She stated that these measures aim to transform India from being the “pharmacy of the world” to becoming an “innovator for the world.”
Industry leaders also shared their perspectives during the event. Arjun Juneja, Chair of the FICCI Pharma Committee, highlighted India’s strong pharmaceutical ecosystem, which includes over 3,000 companies and more than 10,500 manufacturing facilities, many of which are compliant with international standards. He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between Indian and global players to drive innovation-led growth.
Achin Gupta, Co-Chair of the FICCI Pharma Committee and Managing Director & Global CEO of Cipla, delivered the vote of thanks.
The two-day conference will feature discussions on policy frameworks for innovation, the use of 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 crucial role in shaping the future roadmap of India’s pharmaceutical sector and reinforcing its position as a global healthcare leader.