India's Pharma Sector Eyes Global Leadership Through Collaboration and Innovation

NEW DELHI, INDIA – November 20, 2025

The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) concluded its annual summit today in New Delhi, issuing a strong call for increased collaboration and innovation within the Indian pharmaceutical sector. With the theme 'Power of Partnership,' the event underscored the industry’s ambition to transition from being a leading generic drug manufacturer to a globally recognized ‘Pharma Powerhouse’ by 2047 – aligning with the national ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.

A Shift Beyond Generics: The Innovation Imperative

The Indian pharmaceutical industry has long been celebrated as the 'Pharmacy of the World,' renowned for its high-quality, affordable generic medicines. However, a growing consensus within the sector recognizes the need to move beyond this traditional strength and invest in research and development (R&D) to drive innovation. The OPPI summit served as a platform to articulate this strategic shift and explore pathways to foster a more robust innovation ecosystem.

“The Indian pharma sector is at an inflection point,” explained a senior industry executive attending the summit. “We’ve built a strong foundation in generics, but to truly compete on the global stage, we need to prioritize innovation and invest in cutting-edge technologies.”

The launch of a comprehensive report, ‘Fueling Innovation, Advancing Equity,’ produced in collaboration with EY Parthenon, provided a detailed roadmap for achieving this transformation. The report projects a potential market size of $450 billion by 2047, predicated on sustained investment in R&D, improved regulatory agility, and strategic partnerships between industry, government, and academia.

“The report isn't just about numbers,” stated a consultant involved in the study. “It’s about outlining a clear pathway for India to become a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation, attracting investment, and creating high-skilled jobs.”

The Power of Partnerships: A Collaborative Approach

A central theme of the summit was the importance of collaboration. The industry recognizes that achieving its ambitious goals requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. This includes fostering closer ties between research-based pharmaceutical companies, domestic manufacturers, government agencies, and academic institutions.

“Collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity,” commented a representative from a leading global pharmaceutical company. “We need to break down silos, share knowledge, and work together to address the challenges facing the industry.”

The summit highlighted several promising examples of collaborative initiatives, including joint research projects, data-sharing platforms, and public-private partnerships. The government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes were also lauded for their role in attracting investment and promoting domestic manufacturing.

However, some attendees expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the need for greater transparency in collaborative ventures. “It’s important to ensure that collaborations are equitable and benefit all stakeholders,” one participant noted. “We need to avoid situations where a few large companies dominate the landscape.”

Navigating Regulatory Hurdles and Ensuring Equitable Access

While the industry is eager to embrace innovation, it also faces several challenges, including a complex regulatory environment and the need to ensure equitable access to medicines. The recent revisions to Schedule M, the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) norms, have raised concerns among smaller manufacturers about the cost of compliance.

“The new GMP norms are a step in the right direction in terms of quality, but they also pose a significant burden for MSMEs,” said a representative from a domestic pharmaceutical association. “We need to find a way to balance quality with affordability.”

Another key challenge is ensuring that innovative medicines are accessible to all segments of the population, particularly in a country with significant income disparities. “Innovation is useless if it doesn’t reach the people who need it most,” one healthcare advocate emphasized. “We need to explore innovative financing models and pricing strategies to ensure equitable access.”

The summit also addressed the issue of intellectual property protection, which is seen as crucial for incentivizing innovation. “Strong IP protection is essential to attract investment in R&D,” stated a legal expert. “However, we also need to strike a balance between protecting IP and ensuring access to essential medicines.”

The event underscored the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and access, and the need for a holistic approach to address these challenges effectively.

The OPPI summit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration and a clear vision for the future of the Indian pharmaceutical sector. The industry is poised for a period of significant transformation, with the potential to become a global leader in innovation and a major contributor to global health.