New Delhi: India’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector is experiencing a major shift. Once a healthcare importer, the country is now stepping up as a global exporter of preventive healthcare. However, it faces challenges like sustainability, regulations, and supply chain issues.
At the recent CII Pharma and Life Sciences Summit 2025, Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh stressed that innovation, data, and sustainability are essential for India’s pharmaceutical future. India’s pharma industry, which supplies over 20% of the world’s generics, is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030. This shift signals that India must innovate rapidly and maintain affordability while improving manufacturing processes.
Singh highlighted India’s transformation in healthcare by mentioning Nephrathomicine, the country’s first antibiotic designed to tackle resistant infections. This represents a movement toward self-reliance in biotech and pharma.
In discussions, Singh noted that India ranks third in biomanufacturing in the Pacific region, and biodegradable implants are gaining global traction due to their competitive pricing and quality. He emphasized that true leadership in healthcare isn’t just about exports; it’s also about early detection of diseases and adopting technologies like:
- AI in healthcare
- Telemedicine in remote areas
- Digital disease monitoring through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat
To support this, a new ₹1 lakh crore R&D fund aims to drive advancements in biologics, vaccines, and health technology.
New Sustainability Challenges
A recent sustainability report by CII and Deloitte revealed that over 70% of emissions in the pharmaceutical sector come from areas outside of manufacturing facilities. This highlights five critical sustainability risks, including high energy use in cleanrooms and the need for MSMEs to adopt verified carbon practices. These challenges may affect India’s ability to meet global sustainability standards.
Shefali Misra from Biocon Group emphasized that sustainability must be part of core operations rather than a standalone effort. “Greening and production should go hand in hand,” she stated. Misra also pointed out that achieving sustainability while keeping prices low is vital, noting, “The world looks to India to provide affordable medicines.”
Another significant trend is the push for data integration in pharmaceutical practices. Misra stressed that high-quality data is crucial for global pharma, asserting that transparency in data will enhance India’s reputation as a reliable supplier.
Exporting pharmaceuticals is also becoming more reliant on preparations for sustainability. Pharmexcil chairman Namit Joshi pointed out that in the last year, India exported $30.46 billion in pharma products, with a big chunk being formulations. He noted that global markets are expanding, with promises that the U.S. alone saves about $200 billion annually on Indian generics.
As India aims to further its role in global health, challenges loom. Dr. Remant Kumar Tiwari of Deloitte highlighted the need for Indian firms to adopt stricter sustainability practices, or risk being excluded from global supply chains. He discussed the impending European regulations that will require companies to demonstrate eco-friendly practices throughout their operations.
Looking forward, experts recommend several steps for Indian pharma, such as:
- Supplier decarbonization programs to support MSMEs.
- Transitioning to more energy-efficient technologies.
- Enhancing digital traceability.
- Redesigning sustainable packaging.
- Implementing internal carbon pricing.
To summarize, India is no longer just a pharmacy for the Global South; it aspires to be a leader in preventive healthcare and sustainable manufacturing. Achieving this will require an agile approach to regulation, sustainability, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Source link
INDIA PHARMA SECTOR, PHARMA FACES HIDDEN CLIMATE RISKS, PHARMA FACES CLIMATE RISKS: CLEANROOMS, COLD CHAINS, AND SUPPLIERS COULD THREATEN $50B EXPORTS
