By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : July 02, 2025 10:44 am
Enhance strategies to drive sustainability, global Reach and digital transformation for a trillion-dollar future
The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) announces a period of robust growth in pharmaceutical exports in the month of May. India's pharmaceutical export industry continued its growth trajectory in May 2025, reaching US$ 4,961.71 million. This represents a 7.38% expansion compared to May 2024-25. This growth is a testament to Pharmexcil’s efforts in spearheading a transformative period for India's pharmaceutical sector, moving beyond its 'Pharmacy of the World' reputation to embrace cutting-edge sustainable manufacturing, expand its global market presence, and streamline regulatory processes through digital innovation. These strategic initiatives underpin the nation's ambitious goal of achieving a trillion-dollar trade target for the pharmaceutical sector.
Robust Export and Import Performance in May 2025
* Formulations and biologicals continue to hold the major share of India’s total exports accounting for 75.74% during this period.
* The second major category by value is Bulk drugs and drug intermediates. During May 2025-26 this segment expanded by 4.40%.
* Vaccines were the third largest exported category, valued at US$ 190.13 million, experiencing a significant 13.64% increase.
* Surgicals grew by 8.58%, reaching US$ 124.62 million.
* Ayush & Herbals products saw a 7.36% growth, with a value of US$ 119.89 million.
* NAFTA, EUROPE, AFRICA and LAC are our four major regions for pharma exports. These four regions together account for 76% of our total exports.
* ASEAN (4.88%) was a newly contracted region during this period.
* India’s top 5 countries for pharma exports during May 2025-26 were USA, UK, Brazil, South Africa, and France.
* Exports to USA, which account for 34.50% of our exports in pharma products, have expanded by 1.50%. Our exports to the USA were valued at US$ 1711.75 million during May 2025-26.
* Europe grew moderately by 3.14%, and Africa by 1.71%.
Pharmexcil's commitment to global collaboration is evident through various engagements across countries. iPHEX 2025, scheduled for 4-6 September 2025 under Bharat Health, is also set to serve as a global platform to showcase India's pharmaceutical capabilities, fostering innovation and international partnerships.
“India's pharmaceutical exports continue to demonstrate a steady year-over-year growth, with drug formulations and biologicals continuing to dominate the export category”, explains Namit Joshi, Chairman of Pharmexcil. “We attribute this growth to rising global demand, streamlined regulatory approvals, technological innovations, strategic partnerships, and economic stability. As a nodal agency, we also strive to enhance buyer-seller communications in order to increase the ease of doing business globally. Pharmexcil continues to simplify essential processes through digital services, ensuring efficiency for industry stakeholders”, he said.
He also lauds the progress on India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions, which is expected to enhance supply chains, improve access to affordable medicines, and foster foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) and joint research. “Pharmexcil continues its robust efforts to expand India's pharmaceutical presence worldwide. And the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a milestone in economic cooperation, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals enhancing supply chains and access to affordable medicines by encouraging collaborations”, he said.
With the Department of Commerce setting a trillion-dollar trade target for the pharmaceutical sector, Pharmexcil is poised to provide deeper insights and strategic direction to the industry, driving leadership in innovation, affordability, and excellence to meet this ambitious goal.