As India approaches the Union Budget 2025-26, industry leaders from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors have outlined their expectations, emphasising innovation, infrastructure development, and affordability to propel the nation toward becoming a global healthcare leader.
Dr Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, highlighted the ambitious targets for the pharmaceutical industry, aiming for USD 120–130 billion by 2030 and USD 450 billion by 2047. He stressed the need for policies supporting innovation, including allocating 10 per cent of the National Research Fund to life sciences, reinstating 200 per cent weighted R&D tax deductions, and expanding the patent box regime. He also called for removing Section 194R on marketing samples and introducing incentives for AI research in pharmaceuticals to enhance India's competitiveness.
Abhay Soi, President of NATHEALTH and CMD of Max Healthcare Institute, pointed to pressing gaps such as a shortage of medical specialists, rising cancer care costs, and inadequate hospital infrastructure. He urged the government to expand hospital capacity, establish sustainable reimbursement frameworks, and promote medical education reforms to address these challenges while bolstering India’s position in global healthcare.
Amit Mookim, CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics, emphasised the need for a robust regulatory framework to facilitate access to advanced therapies such as cell and gene treatments. He proposed subsidies, tax benefits, and public health scheme inclusion for such therapies while advocating for increased R&D funding and public-private partnerships to address cancer and rare diseases.
Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO of Entod Pharmaceuticals, called for increased public healthcare spending, broadening Ayushman Bharat, and strengthening PLI schemes for APIs and high-value pharma products. He also highlighted the importance of reducing customs duties on raw materials and encouraging digital healthcare transformation.
Chander Shekhar Sibal, Vice President of FUJIFILM India, underscored the potential of digital health platforms and telemedicine to enhance access to care. He recommended simplifying GST structures and streamlining regulatory approvals to strengthen domestic manufacturing and global competitiveness.
Deepak Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO of MedLern, emphasised workforce upskilling and simulation-based training as priorities. He urged tax benefits for organisations investing in training, expansion of the PLI scheme to advanced medical equipment, and public-private collaborations to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps.
With a focus on fostering innovation, addressing systemic gaps, and promoting affordability, experts hope the Union Budget 2025-26 will lay the foundation for a resilient, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.
