2026, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B

India’s pharmaceutical sector has solidified its position as a foundational pillar of the global healthcare system, supported by a deep pool of scientific expertise, competitive manufacturing efficiencies, advanced process chemistry, and increasingly resilient supply-chain networks. With more than 3,000 pharmaceutical manufacturers and over 10,500 production facilities—including industry leaders such as Sun Pharmaceutical, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Biocon, and the Serum Institute of India—the country stands as the world’s foremost supplier of generic medicines and the third-largest pharmaceutical exporter by volume. Its diverse operational models, complex generics, biosimilars, contract research and manufacturing services, and a rapidly expanding range of specialty and innovative therapies, position India as a significant driver of global pharmaceutical advancement.

This research paper examines India’s internationalization journey within the pharmaceutical sector and evaluates its growing influence in global health markets. It explores the nation’s transition from a volume-centered generics manufacturing base to an emerging innovation-led biopharmaceutical ecosystem, supported by targeted policy interventions and industrial reforms. The study also identifies the top ten pharmaceutical products currently prominent in the Indian market and assesses the implications of global tariff increases and shifting trade policies on the industry's competitiveness, export capabilities, and operational performance.