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New Delhi: At a time when the prospect of fresh US tariffs is casting uncertainty over global trade, India’s pharmaceutical industry is looking to turn potential headwinds into a springboard for self-reliance. The 11th edition of the International Exhibition on Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare (iPHEX 2025), inaugurated this week at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is being positioned as a testament to India’s growing capability to secure its place as the “Pharmacy of the World” while reducing import dependence.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, inaugurating the event, underscored India’s responsibility to not only meet domestic demand but also ensure equitable global access to affordable medicines. “Every child in India deserves high-quality medicines at affordable prices. Our pharma industry is ensuring this not just for India, but for the entire world—making India truly the Pharmacy of the World,” Goyal said, linking India’s pharma ambitions to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The three-day mega event is co-hosted by Pharmexcil along with trade promotion organizations under the Department of Commerce, Government of India, such as the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC India), Shellac Export Promotion Council (Shefexcil), and the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPCMD). For the first time, it brings the full spectrum of healthcare, pharma machinery, lab technologies, medtech, nutraceuticals, and biotech tools under one roof. Notably, alongside iPHEX 2025, the Pharma MachTech Expo, LabNext Expo, India Med Tech Expo, and Bharat Nutraverse are showcasing the strength of India’s supply chain from molecules to machinery.

Tariffs as a Backdrop
Industry stakeholders ET Online spoke to at the event said the event’s timing is highly significant. They noted that Trump’s tariff threats have raised concerns across industries, including pharmaceuticals, where the US remains India’s single largest export market. Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO of Entod Pharmaceuticals and an exhibitor, said: “As Trump’s tariff rhetoric again stirs uncertainty in the pharma sector, at iPHEX the convergence of pharma exports with cutting-edge machinery and regulatory foresight signals India’s ambition to be not just the world’s low-cost pharmacy, but also a hub of affordable innovation and reliable supply chains.”

On the tariff issue, Pharmexcil Chairman Namit Joshi, speaking on the sidelines of the event, gave a realistic assessment: “This is not the first time our sector has faced such heat. Even when tariffs of up to 50% were imposed earlier, India’s generic strength ensured we were not significantly impacted. Hypothetically, even at 200%, the fundamentals remain unchanged—the US saves nearly $216 billion annually by sourcing from India, while our pharma trade with them is only around $9 billion. No wise leadership would disrupt an arrangement that brings them such savings. So, even Donald Trump will be mindful of that. Our intent remains clear: to provide affordable medicines to every region of the world.”

Experts note that if protectionist policies tighten due to Trump’s actions, Indian companies would need to deepen their presence in other geographies and strengthen domestic capacity to avoid disruptions. The Pharmexcil Chairman added that in light of tariff threats, the Council is helping its members diversify exports and expand market access across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Latin American Countries (LAC), Africa, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.

From volume to value
According to official figures, India’s pharma exports have surged from $14.9 billion in FY14 to $30.5 billion in FY25, an increase of more than 104%. With ambitions to reach $65 billion by 2030, the focus is shifting from low-cost generics to higher-value segments such as biosimilars, complex generics, and innovative therapies. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India, highlighted this pivot in his address: “We are moving from volume to value by developing innovative products in India for global markets. The world has consistently trusted our medicines, and the future is strong and promising as we move toward affordable innovation," he said.

Machinery and tech at the core
While iPHEX showcases the demand side of India’s pharmaceutical strength, the parallel Pharma MachTech Expo and LabNext Expo, organised by EEPC India, highlight the supply chain backbone. Backed by over 800 machinery and equipment manufacturers with production worth about Rs 1,800 crore, India is steadily emerging as a major global supplier of pharma machinery, reaching more than 100 countries.

“The trade shows are helping participants discover investment and business opportunities in India’s fast-growing healthcare sector. By enabling partnerships across the value chain, they accelerate growth and innovation,” said Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India. Pharma MachTech showcases automation systems, clean-room technologies, and packaging solutions, while LabNext focuses on biotech tools, diagnostic devices, and lab automation, which remain critical areas as the industry adapts to stricter global validation standards, Chadha added.

Connecting global markets
With over 700 stalls and buyers from more than 150 countries, organizers say iPHEX 2025 is not just an exhibition but also a platform for regulatory dialogue. A dedicated Global Regulatory Conclave, jointly hosted by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Pharmexcil, is focusing on harmonizing approval systems, pharmacopoeia convergence, and good reliance practices—steps that indutry stakeholders believe could significantly shorten market access timelines for Indian products.

Pharmexcil, which represents over 4,400 Indian pharma exporters, is using iPHEX to push curated buyer-seller meets and sector-specific sessions covering formulations, biosimilars, bulk drugs, and surgical products. Bhavin Mehta, Vice Chairman of Pharmexcil and Chairman of iPHEX 2025, said: “iPHEX 2025 is not just a trade fair—it is a dialogue on India’s responsibility as the Pharmacy of the World. The previous edition in 2024 logged around 7,400 meetings; this year, we expect close to 8,400—a recognition of the event’s expanding global traction.” He added that the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) will be a central focus this year. “Already, 12 countries have adopted the Indian Pharmacopoeia. Our goal in 2025 is to bring another 10–12 nations on board to further cement India’s recognition as a trusted, accessible, and globally aligned healthcare partner.”