**Executive Summary**
The 9th edition of PharmaMed 2026, held on March 27, 2026, in New Delhi, established a strategic roadmap to position India as a global pharmaceutical powerhouse. Organized by the PHDCCI and the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the event focused on the theme "Healthcare Equity: Reaching Every Citizen of Viksit Bharat." Key outcomes include plans to establish 1,000 clinical trial sites and a transition toward value-driven, self-reliant manufacturing to ensure universal health coverage.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic National Objectives**
* **Viksit Bharat 2047:** Aligning the pharmaceutical and medtech sectors with the long-term vision of a developed India through innovation and "Atma Nirbharta" (self-reliance).
* **Healthcare Equity:** Utilizing the pharmaceutical industry as a tool for financial protection, as medicines constitute a significant portion of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
* **Universal Coverage:** Expanding the Ayushman Bharat initiative to provide 105–172 essential medicines free of cost across 180,000 transformed health centers.
**Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI)**
* **Biological Ecosystems:** Prioritizing the creation of biological ecosystems and accelerating research-to-market timelines as highlighted in the Union Budget 2026–27.
* **Infrastructure Expansion:** Establishing 1,000 clinical trial sites to enhance research efficiency and reduce costs.
* **Human Capital:** Leveraging over 8,000 STEM institutions and a workforce of 300,000 researchers to drive scientific advancement.
**Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience**
* **Self-Reliance:** Reducing dependence on imported Bulk Drugs, APIs, and Key Starting Materials (KSMs) through indigenous enzymatic engineering and green chemistry.
* **Value-Driven Growth:** Shifting the industry focus from volume-driven production to value-driven growth while maintaining affordability.
* **Backward Integration:** Emphasizing backward integration as a necessity for national security and supply chain resilience.
**Regulatory and Global Standards**
* **Global Collaboration:** Maintaining India’s role in global supply chains with over 600 FDA-registered manufacturing facilities.
* **Quality Management:** Strengthening regulatory alignment and quality systems to ensure international patient safety.
* **Advanced Therapies:** Emergence of India as a hub for sustainable innovation in specialized areas such as cell and gene therapies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Industry Leaders**
**Impact**
The sector is being pushed to transition from high-volume production to high-value innovation. There is an increased emphasis on backward integration and reducing reliance on imported raw materials.
**Action Required**
Manufacturers must invest in R&D, adopt green chemistry practices, and align production with indigenous engineering to secure supply chains.
**Researchers and Academic Institutions**
**Impact**
The government is providing massive infrastructure support and clinical trial opportunities, positioning "biology as the new technology."
**Action Required**
STEM institutions and researchers must collaborate with the industry to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial market entry.
**Regulators (CDSCO and US FDA)**
**Impact**
There is a heightened focus on quality management maturity and regulatory alignment to facilitate global trade and patient safety.
**Action Required**
Regulators must continue to implement progressive regulations for sustainable innovation and oversee the expansion of clinical trial sites.
**General Public and Healthcare Consumers**
**Impact**
Citizens will benefit from improved healthcare affordability and wider access to free essential medicines at the primary care level.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required other than utilizing the expanded services provided under the Ayushman Bharat health centers.
Key Entities Referenced
PharmaMed 2026: A flagship event and dialogue platform aimed at positioning India as a global pharmaceutical powerhouse by focusing on supply chain resilience, innovation, and self-reliance.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: The primary government department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers responsible for supporting the pharma and medtech sectors to drive innovation and 'Atma Nirbharta'.
Ayushman Bharat: A national health initiative cited for transforming health centers and providing essential medicines free of cost to achieve universal health coverage.
Union Budget 2026–27: A key policy document referenced for underscoring the need to build biological ecosystems and accelerate research-to-market timelines in the pharmaceutical sector.
PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI): The industry body that organized the conference in collaboration with the government to catalyze economic growth and facilitate industry-policy dialogue.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Pharmaceuticals
PharmaMed 2026 Positions India as Global
Pharma Powerhouse Driving Healthcare Equity
with Innovation Push
Dialogues Set Roadmap for India’s Pharma Future
Sessions focus on strengthening supply chain resilience,
promoting self-reliance in APIs and KSMs, and advancing
public-private partnerships
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 3:55PM by PIB Delhi
The 9th edition of PharmaMed 2026, organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) in
collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government
of India, commenced on a high note today in New Delhi. Centered around the theme “Healthcare Equity:
Reaching Every Citizen of Viksit Bharat,” the inaugural session brought together Senior policymakers,
global regulators, eminent industry leaders, and experts setting the stage for meaningful dialogue on
strengthening India’s pharmaceutical sector.Highlighting public health priorities, Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, noted the sector’s critical
role in healthcare affordability. He said “Medicines account for a significant share of out-of-pocket
healthcare expenses, making the pharmaceutical industry central to equity and financial protection,”
Emphasising the role of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Dr. Paul said “India has the talent,
scale, and scientific capability. If they are aligned with strong RDI, India will not just participate in global
pharma, but will lead it. The Ayushman Bharat initiative is transforming 1,80,000 health centres, providing
105–172 essential medicines free at primary levels, a powerful step toward universal health coverage” he
added.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Satyaprakash T. L., Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, noted
the transformative shift in the pharma sector. Highlighting policy priorities, he said the Union Budget
2026–27 underscores the need for building biological ecosystems and accelerating research-to-market
timelines. India’s plan to establish 1,000 clinical trial sites will significantly enhance efficiency and reduce
costs, while strengthening our innovation ecosystem. Dependence on imported bulk drugs should be
addressed through indigenous enzymatic engineering, and leveraging 8,000+ STEM institutions and
300,000 researchers, he added.
Stating, ”From complexity to code: biology is the new technology” Shri Satya Prakash said the worst is
behind us and the best has just begun.Earlier Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, stressed the importance of equitable
healthcare. True progress toward Viksit Bharat demands not just economic growth, but a healthy India
where healthcare is accessible and affordable for all, he said, adding that bridging the healthcare gap
requires collective action from policymakers, industry, and society.
Providing industry perspective, Shri Abhay Kumar Srivastava, Senior President- Global Operations,
Mankind Pharma and Chair, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Committee, PHDCCI, said “India’s
pharmaceutical sector must shift from volume-driven to value-driven growth, while ensuring affordability.
Backward integration is essential for supply chain resilience and national security.” He also underscored
that collaboration between stakeholders is critical in navigating global uncertainties.Speaking at the conference Shri Gregory Smith, Country Director, India Office, US FDA, reaffirmed
global collaboration. He said, India hosts over 600 FDA-registered manufacturing facilities, reflecting its
vital role in global supply chains. Strengthening quality systems and regulatory alignment remains key to
ensuring patient safety worldwide, he noted, highlighting ongoing initiatives to enhance quality
management maturity.
Sharing regulatory insights, Dr. A. Visala, Joint Drug Controller, CDSCO, emphasized sustainability and
innovation. India is emerging as a hub for sustainable pharmaceutical innovation, supported by
progressive regulations and advancements in areas like cell and gene therapies, she said, while stressing
the need to reduce dependence on imported APIs and invest in green chemistry.The inaugural session focussed on key issues including strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting
self-reliance in APIs and Key Starting Materials (KSMs), fostering innovation, and advancing public-
private partnerships.
As a leading industry body, PHDCCI plays a pivotal role in catalyzing economic growth, facilitating
industry dialogue, and supporting policy advocacy across key sectors.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is supporting the
country’s pharmaceutical and medtech sector to drive innovation and Atma Nirbharta, with focused policy
interventions, infrastructure development & industry-academia partnerships, aligned with the broader
vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
***
PC/PM
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