HOME > MARKETS > ECONOMY NEWS
  ECONOMY NEWS
ECONOMY
Pharma industry must reduce reliance on critical imported raw materials: Agrawal
Apr-06-2026

In light of global uncertainties, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said that pharmaceutical industry must reduce its critical import dependencies in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), bulk drugs, and intermediates. He also highlighted the need to secure and diversify export supply chains. While acknowledging that India already exports to around 200 countries, he said there remains significant scope for expansion and resilience-building through a stronger market presence.

Emphasizing the need to navigate an increasingly uncertain and geopolitically volatile global environment, Agrawal stressed the importance of ensuring greater self-reliance by meeting 80-90% (or higher) of domestic pharmaceutical requirements through indigenous production. He also underscored the need for a strategic repositioning of India as a global hub for both quality and cost-effective pharmaceuticals, stating that quality will remain the decisive factor in healthcare. He called for building a robust quality ecosystem to enhance global trust, while also aligning with emerging industry trends such as biologics and biosimilars. 

Highlighting the need to transition from a volume-driven to a value-driven industry, he encouraged a greater focus on innovation, including participation in developing new patents, alongside continued strength in generics. He also emphasised the importance of insulating import supply chains in a geopolitically fragmented world, where availability may be important.

  RELATED NEWS >>