New Delhi, Dec 25 (NationPress) Experts in the pharmaceutical industry emphasized that the year 2025 marked a significant milestone for Indian pharma due to GST reforms and the Research Development Incentive (RDI) Scheme. They pointed out that innovation and improved access will be crucial for the sector's advancement in 2026.

Indian pharma is at a pivotal crossroads. Over the last 25 years, the industry has expanded from $3 billion to $60 billion. The upcoming 25 years will be influenced by innovation, quality, and access.

“The year 2025 has served as an inflection point for Indian pharma, indicating the nation’s drive to ascend the value chain. The groundbreaking next-generation GST reform represented a vital policy landmark, enhancing affordability and widening patient access to medications,” stated Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.

“The government's commitment to quality, evident through the updated Schedule M guidelines, further aligns India with global benchmarks. The High-Level Committee’s initiatives on regulatory reforms and improving the business climate for Viksit Bharat 2047 will lay the groundwork for the next wave of industry expansion,” he added.

Jain also praised the launch of the PRIP scheme, which garnered robust industry support, marking a notable start.

“Positive indicators of India’s transition towards innovation are visible as leading pharmaceutical companies are acquiring higher-value products, finalizing licensing agreements, and obtaining regulatory approvals for next-gen therapies. The newly introduced Research Development Incentive Scheme, focusing on biomanufacturing, comes at a critical time, especially with drugs worth over $300 billion poised to lose exclusivity in the next seven years,” Jain remarked.

Ameera Shah, President of NATHEALTH, highlighted that in 2025, the healthcare sector in India transitioned from gradual improvements to substantial transformation.

“We observed a distinct move from illness treatment to wellness promotion, from piecemeal care to integrated approaches, and from digital adoption to digital intelligence. AI evolved from a marginal tool to a central capability, redefining clinical processes, enhancing diagnostics, and elevating decision-making throughout the care spectrum,” Shah articulated.

Applauding the sector’s collective efforts, Shah noted, “Hospitals, diagnostics, digital health enterprises, and med-tech companies have all ramped up their investments in automation, data infrastructure, and cutting-edge technologies—not merely as future gambles, but as essential building blocks for the next era of healthcare delivery.”

Experts predict that healthcare will enter its most crucial decade in 2026, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation and widening access for global leadership.

“From 2026 onward, the next five years will be vital for implementing policies that translate momentum into tangible benefits for India’s goal of becoming a $450-500 billion industry by 2047 and establishing itself as a global hub for life sciences innovation,” Jain concluded.

With key treatments approaching patent expiration, new care models emerging, and the government advancing discussions on multiple FTAs, India stands at a prime opportunity to enhance both access and global standing.

“The challenge and opportunity for the upcoming year is clear: to transform technological potential into impactful health outcomes while ensuring that innovation fosters not only efficiency but also equity and patient results,” Shah added.