Pharma
exports have more than doubled from around USD 14–15 billion in FY15 to USD 31
billion now, with the US, Europe and emerging markets in Africa and Latin America
among the main growth drivers. The government expects this momentum to continue
on the back of rising demand for complex generics, biosimilars, contract
research and manufacturing (CRDMO) services and specialised formulations.
To support the push, policy
measures such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for
pharmaceuticals, schemes to encourage domestic bulk drug and API manufacturing,
and streamlined regulatory processes are being strengthened. Officials also
underlined efforts to expand India’s network of mutual recognition agreements
and regulatory cooperation with major markets to ease approvals for Indian-made
drugs. Industry analysts note that
achieving USD 50 billion in exports by 2030 will require sustained investments
in R&D, scaling up high-value segments such as biosimilars and injectables,
and continued adherence to stringent global quality norms, in which India
already leads in the number of USFDA-approved plants outside the US. The
government and industry bodies are positioning the country not just as the
“pharmacy of the world” for volume generics, but as a diversified hub for
innovation-led pharma and healthcare solutions.