The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has called for India to develop healthcare supply chains that are both resilient and internationally connected. Speaking at the Bharat Health Global Expo 2026 in New Delhi, Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal stressed that the country must move beyond its current strength in generic medicines towards greater research, development and innovation across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
What the Minister Said
Shri Goyal highlighted that India has lost ground in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Key Starting Materials over time and must now restore this capacity. He emphasised that resilience does not mean cutting off imports entirely. Instead, critical products should be available from multiple geographies and suppliers so that no single country or company can disrupt supply chains.
The Minister called for Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest overseas for local value addition and last-mile delivery, including in African countries. He stressed that the sector must adopt a global outlook rather than an inward-looking approach.
On research and innovation, Shri Goyal said India cannot depend on generics alone if it aims to become a developed nation by 2047. He urged the sector to prioritise new molecules, biosimilars and biotechnology, and to leverage the Research and Development Innovation Fund.
Regarding medical value travel, the Minister noted that approximately USD 8 billion is spent globally in this area. He called for this sector to be pursued on a mission-mode basis and said the Government would support initiatives through the EPM and India Brand Equity Fund.
Shri Goyal also mentioned that the Government is developing bulk drug parks in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, and that 100 new industrial parks with sector-specific plug-and-play facilities are being established.
On medical devices, he noted India still has significant scope for growth and called for a shift from assembly towards domestic production of components. For Ayush products, he stressed the need for greater scientific validation to gain wider global acceptance.
The Minister also highlighted that India’s trade agreements now provide preferential access to markets representing USD 60 trillion in combined GDP, compared to USD 10 trillion until 2014.
What This Means for You
If you work in or follow the pharmaceutical, healthcare or medical device sectors, this signals Government backing for investments in research and overseas operations. Indian hospitals and medical professionals may see increased Government promotion globally, potentially boosting medical tourism. Patients and citizens should expect broader availability of domestically produced medicines and medical equipment as the supply chain strengthens, though prices and access depend on implementation of these policy directions.