Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector offers international companies opportunities across an expanding healthcare market and an established global medicines supply chain. Hospital capacity gaps, rising treatment needs and medical-device import dependence support investment. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical exports, contract research and manufacturing capabilities create opportunities for foreign companies seeking local partnerships, technology collaboration, specialised healthcare services and long-term growth in India’s evolving healthcare ecosystem.
/ Overview of India's Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Sector
India’s hospital market was valued at US $122.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US $202.5 billion by 2030. Yet, the country has approximately 13 hospital beds per 10,000 people, compared with a global median of 29. India’s domestic pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately US $60 billion, while pharmaceutical exports reached US $31.1 billion in FY2026, supporting opportunities across healthcare delivery, manufacturing and global supply chains.
3rd
Largest Biotech hub in Asia Pacific
$55 bn
Market Size
$1.5 bn
FDI (till Dec 2024)
9.4%
Economic Growth Rate
/ Growth Drivers
Healthcare Infrastructure Gap: India has approximately 13 hospital beds per 10,000 people, compared with a global median of 29, supporting capacity expansion.
Pharmaceutical Export Demand: Pharmaceutical exports reached approximately US $31.1 billion in FY2026, supporting manufacturing partnerships and international supply-chain opportunities.
Global Generic Medicines Supply: India supplies approximately 20% of global generic medicines by volume, reinforcing its established manufacturing and export capabilities.
Medical-Device Import Dependence: Imports account for an estimated 70-80% of India’s medical-device market, creating opportunities for local production and technology transfer.
Contract Research and Manufacturing: India’s CRDMO industry is projected to grow from US $7.3 billion to US $14.1 billion by 2028.
/ Key Investment Opportunities
Hospitals & Healthcare Services
∕ Hospital Expansion: A hospital market projected at US $202.5 billion by 2030 creates opportunities in capacity expansion and specialised facilities.
∕ Specialty Care: Invest in oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics and other specialised services addressing evolving patient needs and treatment complexity.
∕ Diagnostics Networks: Develop rehabilitation, home healthcare and long-term-care services for patients requiring continuing medical support.
∕ Strategic Partnerships: Healthcare recorded US $3.5 billion across 46 M&A deals in FY2026, highlighting partnership and acquisition activity.
Biopharma, Biologics & Clinical Research
∕ Biosimilars & Biologics: Explore development and manufacturing partnerships for biologic medicines, subject to intellectual-property and regulatory requirements.
∕ Vaccine Manufacturing: Indian manufacturers supply approximately 55-60% of UNICEF’s vaccines, supporting opportunities in production and international supply partnerships.
∕ Clinical Research: Establish research partnerships and clinical-trial capabilities serving pharmaceutical companies seeking scientific expertise and operational capacity.
∕ Contract Research Services: India’s CRDMO industry is projected to reach US $14.1 billion by 2028, supporting outsourcing and development partnerships.
∕ Advanced Therapies: Assess opportunities in cell therapies and other advanced treatments where clinical capabilities and commercial viability align.
Digital Health & Healthcare Technology
∕ AI-Enabled Healthcare: Develop tools supporting clinical workflows, medical imaging, diagnostics and administrative efficiency, subject to appropriate validation.
∕ Telemedicine Platforms: Build remote-consultation and monitoring services that extend healthcare access beyond major metropolitan centres.
∕ Claims Automation: Provide digital solutions that streamline health-insurance claims, documentation and administrative processing.
∕ Remote Patient Monitoring: Develop connected-care solutions supporting follow-up, chronic-condition management and coordination between patients and providers.
/ Healthcare Data Systems: Supply interoperable software and analytics solutions that help healthcare organisations manage information and improve operational decisions.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Exports
∕ Finished Formulations: Pharmaceutical exports exceeded US $31 billion in FY2026, supporting opportunities in generic medicines, formulations and export-oriented manufacturing.
∕ Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Diversify API sourcing and production through local manufacturing partnerships and resilient pharmaceutical supply chains.
∕ Contract Manufacturing: India’s expanding outsourced manufacturing sector offers partnerships for companies seeking established facilities and cost-efficient production.
∕ Complex Generics: Explore differentiated formulations and technically demanding generics where capabilities, intellectual-property rights and regulatory requirements support commercial entry.
/ Export-Oriented Manufacturing: India exports medicines to more than 200 countries, creating opportunities to serve international markets through compliant manufacturing partnerships.
Medical Devices & Diagnostics
∕ Diagnostic Equipment: Introduce imaging, laboratory and diagnostic technologies through local manufacturing, distribution or technology partnerships.
∕ Medical-Device Manufacturing: With 70-80% import dependence, India offers opportunities to localise production of equipment and medical consumables.
∕ Implants & Consumables: Explore manufacturing partnerships for orthopaedic implants, cardiac devices, surgical products and specialised medical supplies.
∕ Technology Transfer: Collaborate with Indian manufacturers to adapt international technologies to local clinical needs and market requirements.
/ Investor Participation: Cumulative FDI in medical and surgical appliances reached US $4.28 billion by March 2026, reflecting established foreign investment.
/ How We Can Help
Maier Vidorno supports international companies throughout their India market-entry and expansion journey.
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