India’s pharma sector needs innovation, global quality: Experts

India’s pharmaceutical industry needs to move beyond its traditional strength in cost-effective generic medicines and focus on innovation, advanced manufacturing, quality and global regulatory standards to realise its growth potential, industry experts said. Sarvesh Singh, CEO, Lifesciences and Pharma, Government of Telangana, said the.

Telangana has already established itself as India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing powerhouse and a global vaccine hub, but our ambition now goes beyond manufacturing. Singh said the state was focusing on biologics, biosimilars, cell and gene therapies and other areas where biology, chemistry and technology converge.

What Happened

M Roja Rani, Executive Director, Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association of India, said India had built strong capabilities in bulk drugs and APIs but needed to reduce dependence on imported key starting materials and intermediates. Rani said greater investment in research and development.

• With India targeting a pharmaceutical market of USD 130 billion by 2030, experts at a recent industry event in Hyderabad said the next phase of growth would require greater investments in research and development.

• The discussions were held ahead of the 19th edition of CPHI & PMEC India 2026, scheduled to be held in November across venues in Delhi-NCR.

• The official launch and precursor event of CPHI & PMEC India 2026, held under the banner of the Pharma Leadership Exchange, brought together pharma leaders, CXOs, industry stalwarts, and key voices from across India’s.

Key Details

Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said India was entering a defining decade for pharmaceuticals, with its strengths in science, talent and manufacturing translating into higher-value opportunities. Mudras said CPHI & PMEC India would provide a platform for industry stakeholders.

• The CRDMO industry is projected to reach around USD 14 billion by 2028, with estimates pointing to an opportunity of up to USD 22 billion by 2030.

• In the times when negativity is becoming a USP in the news business, Awaz -The Voice (www.awazthevoice.in) has been bringing out positive stories of human resilience, cooperation, mutual existence, and peaceful living from across.

• CPHI India will be held at IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka from November 23-25, while PMEC India will be held at IEML, Greater Noida from November 24-26.

Why It Matters

Pushpa Vijayaraghavan, Director, Healthcare and Lifesciences Advisory, Sathguru Management Consultants, said India would have to progress simultaneously across generics, APIs, biologics, biosimilars and innovation.

• The next phase of growth must go beyond cost competitiveness.

• Chakravarthi AVPS, Chairman, Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said compliance was now the baseline for pharmaceutical companies, with innovation and technology becoming the key differentiators.

What Reports Say

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• Continued reporting by Awaz The Voice as more details emerge