India’s Pharma Sector 3rd Largest by Volume, 11th by Value Globally
India’s pharma industry has grown into a globally integrated sector, ranking third by volume and 11th by value, with over 3,000 companies and 10,500 units.
India’s pharmaceutical sector has developed into a globally integrated, policy-backed industry, ranking third worldwide by volume and 11th by value, with over 3,000 companies and 10,500 manufacturing units, according to an official factsheet.
The domestic pharmaceutical market, currently valued at $60 billion, is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030.
According to the Economic Survey 2025–26, the sector’s annual turnover reached Rs 4.72 lakh crore in FY25, with exports registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 per cent over the past decade.
India is the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines, contributing around 20 per cent of global supply and producing nearly 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories, the factsheet noted.
The sector’s strong manufacturing base, rising exports, increasing foreign investments, and targeted government initiatives have collectively boosted domestic production, reduced reliance on imports, and enhanced India’s global presence.
Simultaneously, efforts to ensure affordability, innovation, quality standards, and regulatory compliance have strengthened public health outcomes and global trust in Indian pharmaceuticals.
Further, ongoing and proposed trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are expected to provide additional momentum to the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector by expanding market access and strengthening international trade ties.
These developments position India’s pharmaceutical industry on a stable growth path, supporting long-term expansion, global integration, and resilience, the factsheet stated.
India also has the highest number of manufacturing facilities approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) outside the US, highlighting global confidence in the quality and safety of its medicines.
The country has around 500 active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers, accounting for nearly 8 per cent of the global API market.
India is a global leader in supplying vaccines such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DPT), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and measles.
Indian manufacturers supply about 60 per cent of vaccines to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), meet 40–70 per cent of global demand for DPT and BCG vaccines, and account for 90 per cent of the World Health Organization’s measles vaccine requirements.
This underscores the strength of India’s pharmaceutical exports and their deep integration into global healthcare supply chains.
In 2024–25, pharmaceutical exports reached $30.5 billion, marking a nearly 16-fold increase from $1.9 billion in 2000–01.
With Inputs From IANS
Kanchan Chaurasiya joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Marketing Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Delhi University and has completed certifications in digital marketing. With a strong interest in health news, content creation, hospital updates, and emerging trends, Kanchan manages social media, news coverage, and public relations activities. She coordinates media outreach, creates press releases, promotes healthcare professionals and institutions, and supports health awareness campaigns to ensure accurate, engaging, and timely communication for the medical community and the public.