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Global pharmaceutical demand is increasingly shifting towards innovative & specialty drugs: Expert
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
June 17 , 2025
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India is well known for its robust generic drug ecosystem with an economic and strategic edge over its global counterparts. This advantage stems from a combination of strong manufacturing infrastructure, skilled human resources and low production costs. The companies have played a vital role in supplying affordable medications to both developing and developed countries, especially during public health crises, said Dr. Sujit Paul, group CEO, Zota Healthcare.
However, global pharmaceutical demand is increasingly shifting towards innovative and specialty drugs including biologics, gene therapies, targeted oncology treatments, and precision medicines. These therapies represent the advanced medical science, addressing complex diseases often unmet by traditional generics, he added.
According to Dr Paul, innovation comes at a huge R&D cost with longer gestation period and high pricing. Thus, this has remained a key affordability barrier for countries in the low-to-middle income group. Here lies India’s generic strength as a strategic differentiator.
The country is recognised as the pharmacy of the world. Generic medicines are the backbone of this industry. Over 20% of the supply of generic medicines globally is from India and US fulfils almost 40% of the generic demand. Indian generics are of high quality, accessible and affordable thereby serving public health goals in practically all developing and developed countries. Quoting the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) report, he said Indian pharma was valued at $50 billion, wherein generic drugs account for nearly 70% of the market by revenue.
As blockbuster drugs gradually lose patent protection globally, Indian companies are increasingly quick to seize the opportunity of entering the market with their cost-effective versions, thus greatly extending therapeutic reach without compromising quality. Simultaneously, the global demand for innovative therapies has surged, be it for biologics, gene therapy, or personalised medicine. These approaches on their own are altering treatment protocols for chronic and complex modern disease conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and rare genetic disorders, Dr Paul told Pharmabiz.
Another space Indian pharma companies are entering is that of biosimilars and value-added generics, essentially between standard generics and high-cost innovator drugs. Biosimilars are set to grow at a CAGR of 22% in India over the next five years. Along with the lead companies, investments are being made in R&D centres, API manufacturing, and strategic alliances to fast-track this movement, he noted.
Furthermore, India houses over 600 US FDA-approved manufacturing firms, the highest outside the US, thus establishing its credibility and reinforcing regulatory compliance in support of global pharma supply chains. The generic medicine strength of India runs parallel to innovation, it complements it.
As companies invest in digital health, AI-driven drug discovery, and personalised delivery systems, the combination of affordability, accessibility, and evolving innovation ensures Indian pharma remains resilient and globally relevant. Therefore, the road ahead for Indian pharma lies not only in maximising its generic muscle but also in strategically integrating innovation where it matters most and improving access to life-saving medication globally, said Dr Paul.
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