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India's pharmaceutical industry is stepping into 2026, marking the beginning of a critical five-year period to build the required ecosystem to establish itself as an innovation hub in its bid to become a USD 500 billion sector by 2047, amid near-term challenges of tariff fluctuations and global trade realignments. The predominantly generic medicines-driven domestic drug industry, which has grown from USD 3 billion to USD 60 billion in size over the past 25 years, is shifting towards innovation in next-generation drugs. At the same time, it will also seek to capitalise on the opportunity to capture drugs worth over USD 300 billion that are set to lose exclusivity over the next seven years. "Today, Indian pharma stands at a defining moment and the next 25 years will be shaped by innovation, quality, and access," Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance Secretary General Sudarshan Jain said. The innovation agenda has gained notable momentum among the domestic players, he noted. "From 2026 onwa
Cipla Ltd has inked an exclusive agreement with Pfizer India to market, distribute, and sell the latter's four brands across the country. Under the agreement, Cipla now has the sole right to market, distribute and sell the cough syrup Corex Dx and Corex LS, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Dolonex, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Neksium and the oral antibiotic Dalacin C in India, the two companies said in a joint statement on Friday. Pfizer will continue to manufacture, source, and supply these medicines to Cipla for India, they added. It is the first partnership between Pfizer and Cipla in India. The agreement aims to make Pfizer's medicines widely available across India by combining its well-established portfolio with Cipla's deep market reach, the statement said. Pfizer India Country President Meenakshi Nevatia said the partnership with Cipla will help expand the reach of its medicines to patients. "With Pfizer's legacy of breakthroughs, quality and innovation, and
The UK has sealed a deal securing a 0 per cent tariff rate for all UK medicines exported to the US for at least 3 years, officials said Monday, in return for the UK spending more on new medicines. Under the deal, announced by officials on both sides, the United States government agreed to exempt UK-origin pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical technology from import taxes. The Trump administration said that in return, UK drugs firms committed to invest more in the US and create more jobs. As part of the deal, the UK government said it will invest around 25 per cent more in new and effective treatments the first major increase in such spending in over two decades. Both sides hailed the deal as a win. This vital deal will ensure UK patients get the cutting-edge medicines they need sooner, and our world-leading UK firms keep developing the treatments that can change lives, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.