India has emerged as the pharmacy to the world – a point illustrated during the pandemic and driven by scale economics and export prowess.
India’s Pharmaceutical Industry: Poised for Decades of Growth
India’s pharmaceutical industry is poised for a multi-year growth surge, driven by its strategic strength in manufacturing for both domestic and export markets.
According to EY FICCI, the industry is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030 and an impressive $450 billion by 2047. With the global pharmaceutical market exceeding $1 trillion, India holds the third-largest market share by volume, underscoring its pivotal role in the global supply chain.
Patent Cliff: A Game-Changer
The global pharmaceutical industry faces a significant patent cliff, with over $300 billion in sales at stake in the coming years. Nearly 200 drugs are set to lose patent protection within the next decade, including 69 blockbuster medications, each generating over $1 billion in annual sales. This wave of patent expirations presents both challenges and opportunities for the industry, reshaping revenue streams and competitive dynamics.
This patent cliff differs from previous ones as it includes a significant number of biologics, making the shift to biosimilars particularly critical. Successfully navigating this challenge will demand a blend of innovation and strategic planning—areas where India has demonstrated excellence over the past decade. With its well-established medical infrastructure and expertise, India is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the opportunities presented by this transition.
Building a Robust Medical Infrastructure
India’s medical infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with the establishment of medical device parks, bulk greenfield drug parks, and advanced manufacturing plants. The country plays a pivotal role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, ranking second only to the U.S. in FDA-approved facilities, with over 1,500 sites.
Notably, India has the highest number of USFDA-compliant pharmaceutical plants outside the U.S., accounting for around 650 facilities—nearly a quarter of all such sites globally.
Over the years, India has built a robust infrastructure and supply chain network, enabling large-scale production while maintaining stringent quality standards. According to a McKinsey report, Indian USFDA facilities are of higher quality than the global average – having a lower number of Official Action Indicated (OAI), which means fewer regulatory/administrative actions recommended compared with international peers.
This strong foundation is further reinforced by a skilled workforce and high managerial and technical expertise. Recognising the sector’s potential, pharmaceutical companies are ramping up investments to penetrate rural markets and enhance infrastructure, positioning the industry for explosive growth over the next decade.
Economies of Scale Driving Exports
India has emerged as a global leader in supplying low-cost vaccines, earning its reputation as the “Pharmacy of the World.” Thanks to their affordability and high quality, Indian medicines are widely preferred, propelling the country to rank third globally in pharmaceutical production by volume. Indian pharmaceutical exports reach over 200 countries, with the U.S. being the largest market.
In FY24, drug and pharmaceutical exports surged by 9.7% year-over-year to $28 billion. Between 2018 and 2023, the industry achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-8%, driven by an 8% increase in exports. This growth trajectory is set to accelerate further, supported by government initiatives such as the $2 billion Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (2020-2029), aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity, attracting investment, and diversifying product offerings.
Capturing the Growth Opportunity
With healthcare representing just 5.6% of the MSCI India Index, passive or benchmark aware funds/etf’s may miss this megatrend. Active strategies offer a compelling avenue to tap into India’s rising global pharmaceutical market share.
India’s pharmaceutical sector is uniquely positioned to capitalise on emerging global trends, cementing its status as the “Pharmacy of the World” and a core component of India’s economic growth story.
