India is rapidly emerging as a pivotal global healthcare partner, with its affordable medicines, large-scale public health programmes, digital health innovations, and traditional medicine research offering a replicable model for developing economies seeking stronger healthcare access and resilience, according to a new report.

The report, published by Morocco-based outlet Assahifa, argues that India's healthcare transformation extends well beyond its own borders — through technology transfer, institutional expertise, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and public health programme delivery.

Pharmaceutical Exports: From $2 Billion to $31 Billion

The report identifies India's pharmaceutical sector as the centrepiece of its global healthcare footprint. Pharmaceutical exports surged to $31 billion in FY26, up from $2 billion in FY21, with Indian medicines now reaching over 190 countries. India currently supplies approximately one-fifth of the world's generic medicines by volume, producing around 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories.

Indian manufacturers also contribute nearly 60 per cent of global vaccine demand at a key stage of the supply chain, while simultaneously supplying highly regulated markets including the United States and Europe. The industry is reportedly pivoting toward higher-value production — including injectables, biosimilars, and complex pharmaceutical formulations — signalling a strategic upgrading of its export profile.

Public Health Programmes Reaching Hundreds of Millions

Domestically, India's public health architecture has scaled considerably. Over 1.87 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs now support primary healthcare delivery across the country. The flagship Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has reached 600 million beneficiaries, supporting more than 130 million treatments with a total expenditure exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.

The report underscores that affordability is not merely a pricing issue. 'India's experience demonstrates that affordable healthcare depends not only on lower prices but also on the availability of medicines. Decentralised distribution networks and local partnerships can improve access, particularly in remote communities, while reducing the financial burden on households,' the report noted.

Vaccine Maitri: Emergency-Response Capability on Display

India's Vaccine Maitri initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic — which saw hundreds of millions of vaccine doses supplied to dozens of countries — demonstrated the country's capacity to mobilise its manufacturing scale during global health emergencies. The report cites this as a template for how developing nations can leverage bilateral partnerships with India to bolster their own pandemic preparedness.

A Model the Global South Can Replicate

According to the report, the broader lesson for developing economies lies in the convergence of manufacturing capacity, decentralised delivery, and digital innovation. 'By sharing technology, strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, and developing local capabilities, India can help countries across the Global South build more inclusive, affordable, and resilient healthcare systems,' the publication stated.

This comes amid growing international interest in diversifying pharmaceutical supply chains away from single-country dependencies — a concern that gained urgency during the pandemic. India's combination of volume, regulatory compliance, and cost competitiveness positions it as a natural anchor for such diversification. How effectively it scales these partnerships will determine whether the model remains aspirational or becomes operational across the Global South.