Goyal urges Indian pharma to move beyond generics, focus on R&D at Bharat Health Expo 2026

New Delhi – The bustling halls of Bharat Mandapam were buzzing on Sunday as Union Minister Piyush Goyal cut the ribbon for the Bharat Health Global Expo 2026. While the applause was hearty, the minister’s words carried a sharper edge – a clear call for India’s pharma sector to look past the comfort of generics and chase genuine research and development.

“India has done an admirable job turning generics into a success story,” Goyal said, pausing for effect. “But we can’t let that be the finish line. We need to patent our own inventions, invest in biosimilars, dive into biotech, and build a regulatory ecosystem that actually rewards innovation.” He stressed that a robust R&D pipeline would not only lift the industry’s global standing but also shore up supply‑chain resilience, a lesson the pandemic taught us all.

Other leaders at the expo echoed the sentiment. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada highlighted the role of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, across the pharmaceutical value chain. “AI isn’t just a buzzword,” he remarked. “It’s the tool that will keep Indian firms competitive as we transition from affordable medicines to cutting‑edge pharma.”

Rajesh Agrawal, IAS, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, added that India’s massive volume advantage now needs a “value upgrade.” He pointed to new trade agreements that go beyond tariff cuts, featuring regulatory harmonisation that could smooth the path for Indian companies into high‑value markets.

Representatives from Pharmexcil, the body that drives pharma exports, were equally optimistic. Chairman Namit Joshi said the country is already dubbed the “pharmacy of the world,” but the next chapter should be about “value‑added products – APIs, KSMs, complex generics and biosimilars.” Vice‑Chairman Bhavin Mehta noted that investments in advanced manufacturing and quality systems would help Indian firms climb the value curve and forge lasting global partnerships.

The expo itself is a showcase of India’s health‑care muscle. Spread over four pillars – iPHEX 2026, Pharma Mach & Lab Next, Bharat Nutraverse and SANJEEVANI – the event brings together more than 800 stalls, 600 international buyers and an estimated 30,000 business visitors. iPHEX 2026 alone is targeting around $1.4 billion in export opportunities.

In short, the message was clear: generics got us here, but the future belongs to research, innovation and a diversified supply chain. As Goyal summed up, “Resilience isn’t about looking inward; it’s about diversifying, collaborating and building indigenous capabilities that the world can rely on.”