India’s pharma sector told to shift to innovation, global quality

Industry experts have said India's pharmaceutical sector must move beyond cost-competitive generic medicines and focus on innovation, advanced manufacturing and global quality standards to achieve its target of a USD 130 billion market by 2030. The comments were made at the Pharma Leadership Exchange in Hyderabad, a precursor to the CPHI & PMEC India 2026 event.

Sarvesh Singh, CEO of Lifesciences and Pharma for the Telangana government, said the state aims to become India's life sciences innovation capital through its Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026-2030, targeting USD 25 billion in investments and over five lakh jobs. M Roja Rani of the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association of India said the priority is to reduce dependence on imported key starting materials and strengthen the domestic value chain.

Yogesh Mudras of Informa Markets said the contract research and development manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) industry could reach USD 14 billion by 2028 and USD 22 billion by 2030. CPHI India will be held at Dwarka from November 23-25, and PMEC India at Greater Noida from November 24-26.