It’s 2024 and Indian Pharmaceuticals, today, has risen and positioned itself as one of the major contributors to the Global Pharmaceuticals Industry. The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% to reach $130 billion by 2030 and is projected to hit a whopping $450 billion by 2047. The Indian pharmaceutical Industry has gone through a remarkable transformation and is powering through with healthcare advancements worldwide.
Some of the major segments of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry include generic drugs, bulk drugs, vaccines, contract research & manufacturing, biosimilars and biologics.
The COVID-19 pandemic, put the Indian Pharmaceuticals in the spotlight as our country supplied medicines to over 133 countries in the fight against the pandemic. But that is just the tip of the iceberg of what India has achieved over the last few years in the Pharma Industry.
India’s vaccines and biotech sector, valued at $4 billion in 2023 contributes 15% to the healthcare innovation market. Source: The economic times
Source: Invest India
Source: Invest India
The low price and high-quality medicines produced by India not only makes it one of the most preferred worldwide but has also earned a reputed name called “pharmacy of the world.”
The Indian government has introduced PLI schemes under which there will be an increased production in expensive, maximum valued products; generation of about 100,000 jobs in the sector; consistent supply of bulk API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) ensuring India’s drug security.
Investment Outlay supporting manufacturing of medicines
Not just low cost but excellent quality medicines as compared to US, Europe and South Africa has given rise to medical tourism.
Highest number of US-FDA compliant Pharma plants outside of USA supporting the functioning of about 3000 pharma companies.
Largest manufacturers of low-cost generic medicines with the infrastructure and capability of carrying out end-to-end manufacturing.
Patients are less and less patient while it comes to waiting for healthcare; tech companies digitalizing the patient journey.
Healthcare facilities are rapidly moving towards meeting patients changing needs, improving quality, safety, and achieving better outcomes.
There have been major investments in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry spread out across many states. A number of projects with big chunks of investments is already have already been planned are ready to go.
Source: Invest India
With globalization, technological advancements and rising healthcare product demand, the pharmaceutical supply chain of India has drastically transformed.
Post the pandemic, there has been a greater focus on diversifying the supply chain by investing in multiple location including India. Companies are moving away from the overreliance in China, as it has been identified as a threat in the long run.
Some of the key focus areas to enhance the pharmaceutical efforts are-
Integrating AI efficiently into supply chain operations will prove to be a competitive advantage for companies.
India is an extremely diverse country with different states presenting different compliances. Unfortunately for the supply chain industry this is one of the biggest challenges they need to navigate and with caution. By ensuring compliance with necessary requirements companies can operate a lot more efficiently.
While there has been progress in the infrastructure sector in the past few years, it still isn’t enough. India is constantly struggling with.
Investment in technology enabled logistics facilities can help turn this around and ensure ambitious standards of drug storage and handling. For example,
On the whole, the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in India harbours vast opportunities for expansion, especially in innovation, research, early detection, and cutting-edge solutions such as robotics-assisted surgery. By focussing their energy on these strengths, embracing technological progress, and promoting collaboration, the Indian pharmaceutical industry can persist in its game changing role in shaping the trajectory of healthcare provision, both at home and on the global front.