India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical landscape is rapidly transforming, with a growing push toward innovation, quality, and self-reliance, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said at a recent healthcare summit.
He highlighted that the country is steadily building a strong pharmaceutical economy—one that could play a major role in boosting India’s GDP. The convergence of pharma, medtech, and manufacturing is helping position India as a global hub for affordable, high-quality healthcare solutions.
According to the minister, the discussions at the summit centered on two key ideas: “Made in India” and “Quality.” These themes reflect a broader shift in the sector, where innovation, research collaboration, and adherence to global standards are becoming central priorities.
Over the past decade, India has moved away from heavy dependence on imports. Earlier, advanced drugs, medical devices, and implants were largely sourced from abroad, driving up treatment costs and limiting access. Today, that trend is reversing.
“Today, India is developing its own antibiotics, vaccines, and advanced therapies, marking a decisive shift towards self-reliance,” he highlighted.
He also pointed to India’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the country not only produced its own vaccines but also supplied them worldwide, strengthening its position as a dependable global healthcare partner.
On the question of quality, Singh stressed that domestically produced medical technologies now meet international standards. “Indigenous medical devices such as stents, ventilators, and diagnostic equipment are increasingly ensuring safety, efficacy, and affordability,” he said.
The minister further underlined policy support driving this momentum, including the ₹5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) scheme. The initiative aims to move India beyond low-cost manufacturing toward high-value innovation.
At present, India holds about 1.5% of the global medical devices market. With the National Medical Device Policy 2023 in place, the government is working to significantly increase this share in the coming years.