India's pharma industry must prioritize trust over scale, report warns

India's pharmaceutical sector faces a pivotal shift in strategic priorities if it is to maintain and expand its footprint in international markets, according to findings from a joint report by Grant Thornton and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

The analysis suggests that while Indian pharma companies have built significant scale and cost advantages, they must now focus on establishing trust with global regulators, healthcare systems and consumers. This transition represents a fundamental departure from the growth models that have driven the sector's expansion over recent decades.

Three areas emerge as particularly critical to this evolution. Companies must strengthen data integrity practices to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent international regulatory standards. Supply-chain resilience has become essential as geopolitical uncertainties disrupt traditional sourcing and manufacturing networks. Digital capabilities—from research and development to distribution and customer engagement—are identified as competitive necessities rather than optional enhancements.

The report reflects broader concerns within India's pharmaceutical industry about maintaining regulatory approval rates and market access amid heightened scrutiny from agencies in developed markets. Industry observers note that achieving these benchmarks will require substantial investments in quality systems, infrastructure modernization and workforce development across the sector.

Global pharmaceutical markets increasingly demand transparency and operational excellence from suppliers, creating both challenges and opportunities for Indian manufacturers positioned to meet these elevated standards.