An IIMA Archives–Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance initiative
www.indiapharmaarchives.com
Preserving 125 years of India’s pharmaceutical journey through one of the world’s largest living digital archives for any industry
- Launched by Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, at the IIMA Healthcare Summit in Ahmedabad.
- Developed by IIM Ahmedabad Archives and supported by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, India Pharma Archives captures the people, institutions and milestones behind the evolution of one of India’s most globally significant industries.
- Never-before-documented Oral Histories of first-generation founders.
National, August 22, 2026: For over a century, India’s pharmaceutical industry has been quietly rewriting what is possible: transforming scientific ambition into medicines that reach patients in over 200 countries. Generations of scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and healthcare leaders have built an industry that has helped establish India as the Pharmacy of the World.
Today that remarkable journey has found a new home.
Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, Government of India, launched the India Pharma Archives at the IIMA Healthcare Summit in Ahmedabad. It is the first publicly accessible digital platform capturing 125 years of Indian pharma history.
Also present were Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, along with industry leaders and academicians.
Earlier this year, the landmark coffee-table book – The Alchemy of Cure laid the foundation for the initiative. The India Pharma Archive now expands the story through a growing collection of rare historical material from across the pharmaceutical ecosystem, including company histories and archival collections, films and footage, interview transcripts, timelines and advanced search tools—making the industry’s institutional memory accessible to students, researchers, policymakers, historians and industry leaders.
Going beyond a traditional gallery, India Pharma Archives is designed as a living, continuously evolving archive. At its heart are Oral Histories that preserve the lived experiences of first-
generation founders – offering a window into the science, entrepreneurship, policy and leadership that shaped the industry.
India Pharma Archives at a glance
From 1901-2025 | 250+ video stories | 30+ industry leaders | Dedicated company histories | Nearly 1,000 documents and resources | Rare films and historical footage | Oral histories | Timelines | Searchable archive
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sharvil Patel, MD, Zydus Lifesciences and President, IPA, said: “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a remarkable story of science, entrepreneurship and global impact. The India Pharma Archives celebrates this collective journey and will serve as a platform for new ideas, collaborations, and solutions that address the health challenges of tomorrow.”
Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA, said: “India Pharma Archives is not only about preserving history; it is about safeguarding the legacy of innovation for future generations. It will serve as a rich educational resource for students, researchers, and policymakers. It will showcase the resilience and breakthroughs that continue to inspire innovation, while reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in pharmaceuticals.”
The 7 novel molecules developed by six Indian pharmaceutical companies’ symbols of India’s transition from generic manufacturing to original innovation representing years of discovery research, scientific ambition, and the collective pursuit of new cures
About Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
IPA represents 23 of India’s leading research-driven pharmaceutical companies. It is committed to advancing quality, innovation and global reach, while contributing to policies that improve patient outcomes, strengthen India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem and enhance global competitiveness. Its members account for more than 85% of private-sector pharmaceutical R&D investment, over 80% of India’s pharmaceutical exports and more than 64% of the domestic pharmaceutical market.
About India Pharma Archives
India Pharma Archives – www.indiapharmaarchives.com – is a living digital archive documenting 125 years of India’s pharmaceutical journey. Developed by IIM Ahmedabad Archives and supported by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, it brings together oral histories, archival records, and other primary sources, drawing on extensive research across institutional and industry archives. Designed to continuously grow, it serves as a knowledge resource for researchers, students, policymakers, historians, and future industry leaders.