How to Start Medicines Export from India in 2026?

Over the years, India has established itself as the “Pharmacy of the World.” Today, India is exporting pharmaceutical products to more than 200 countries, including highly regulated markets such as the United States, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Through these exports, India contributes to global healthcare by supplying generic medicines and vital vaccines. 

• As per the most recent report by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in FY 2024-25, India’s pharmaceutical exports reached approximately USD 30.97 billion. 

• This was over 9.4% higher growth than the previous year, and the industry is targeting even higher growth in the coming years. 

• As demand for cost-effective, high-quality medicines continues to grow, medicine export from India is expected to increase further. 

• For Indian entrepreneurs and pharmaceutical companies, this is a profitable and promising business opportunity. 

If you are planning to enter the pharmaceutical export industry in 2026 and are wondering how to export medicines from India, this blog is for you.

Why is Medicine Export Business Growing in India?

India is a world leader when it comes to the export of generic medicines and vaccines. Currently, India holds a 5.92% market share in global pharmaceutical exports by value and ranks 11th globally.

So, what is exactly the reason for this tremendous success of medicine export from India? And why is the pharmaceutical export business growing from India? 

Well, there are several factors that are driving the rapid growth in India’s pharmaceutical exports:

1. Strong Global Demand for Generic Medicines 

As per industry reports, 8 out of 20 global generic companies are from India. This itself proves the global demand for generic medicines from India. The high demand is also due to cost-effective pricing of these generic medicines. 

Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers produce high-quality medicines that are in demand globally and export them to over 200 countries. Indian manufacturer currently supplies generic medicines including:

• Antiretrovirals

• Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, macrolides, etc)

• Anti-malaria drugs

• Multi-vitamins

2. Cost-Effective Manufacturing

• India offers lower production costs compared to many Western countries. So this gives India a competitive edge over others in providing substantial generic medicines at competitive prices. 

• Currently, more than 3000+ pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing medicines in India. Hundreds of scientific and technical experts work in these pharma manufacturing units to produce cost-effective medicines. 

• Most of these pharmaceutical clusters are well-established and based in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. As compared to Western countries, labor costs are cheaper in these Indian states, which ultimately helps in manufacturing affordable medicines. 

3. International Regulatory Approvals 

Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers have gained trust in the international market through their compliance with global quality standards. Without these regulatory approvals, Indian pharmaceuticals cannot sell medicines in many developed countries. 

Indian pharmaceutical companies have approvals from agencies such as:

• United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)

• European Medicines Agency (EMA)

• UK MHRA 

These approvals are proof that pharmaceutical exporters from India are following stringent global quality and safety standards. 

4. Government Support and Export Initiatives

Government support, incentives, and export promotion programs like (PLI) have also played an important role in making India one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals in the world. These initiatives ultimately help companies in setting up manufacturing units, getting approvals, and promoting export of pharmaceutical products from India. 

Can You Legally Export Medicines from India? 

Of course, yes. Given the rising demand for medicine export from India, the GOI (Government of India) has made it fully legal for businesses to export medicines from India. 

However, companies looking for opportunities to export pharmaceutical products from India must comply with regulatory requirements set by the Indian authorities and the importing country. Currently, pharmaceutical exports in India are regulated by: 

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)

• State Drug Licensing Authorities 

Types of Medicines Exported From India

Manufacturers from India export a wide range of medicines and pharmaceutical products across the world. And generic medicines have the largest share in the medicine exports from India. 

According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India supplies approximately 40% of generic medicines in the United States by volume. Here is the list of medicines exported from India: 

1. Generic Medicines

In generic medicines, India has a lead worldwide as the nation supplies roughly 20% of the global demand. Under generic medicines come medications whose patent has expired. They contain the same active ingredients and provide the same therapeutic benefits as the original drug. 

2. Ayurvedic Medicines 

Unlike pharmaceutical manufacturers from Western countries, medicine exporters from India have one additional benefit. India has its own Ayurvedic medications, which have recently gained huge popularity worldwide. These are some of the Ayurvedic medicines exported from India: 

• Aswganghdha

• Tulsi (Holy Basil)

• Haldi (Turmeric)

• Neem

• Triphala

• Brahmi

3. OTC Medicines

India also exports over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in large quantities to the US, the UK, and many EU countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. OTCs are easily available in the market as they are commonly used for minor health issues and self-care. Some of the examples of the OTC medicines are: 

• Antacids

• Antihistamines

• Antifungal creams

• Ibuprofen 

• Paracetamol

• Multi Vitamins

4. Medical Devices and Equipment 

Other than generic medicines and OTCs, Indian pharmaceuticals also export medical devices and equipment. Various laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare distributors from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America import these products from India. 

To export medical devices from India, manufacturers must comply with guidelines set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and get a quality certificate of ISO 13485. 

Here is the list of major medical devices exported from India as per category:

Most Exported Medicines from India

India currently holds a 5.71% share of the global pharmaceutical market. India exports major drugs and vaccines across various countries. In the year FY26 (April-July) 2025, medicine exports from India were around US$ 8.15 billion. 

Here is the list of most exported medicines from India as per different categories:

Cardiovascular Drugs

Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death globally. India is a major exporter of cardiovascular drugs worldwide, especially in Western and developed countries. The reason behind this demand is because of the aging population in these countries. Most common cardiovascular drugs India currently exports are:

• Atorvastatin (cholesterol management)

• Amlodipine (hypertension)

• Rosuvastatin (cholesterol management)

• Telmisartan (high blood pressure)

• Clopidogrel (To prevent blood clots)

Diabetes Medicines

India exports most essential diabetes medicines and formulations which are:

• Metformin

• Glimepiride

• DPP-inhibitors like Sitagliptin and Vildagliptin

• Insulin Glargine and Insulin Aspart

Antibiotics & Antifectives

Indian pharmaceutical companies lead the global fight against infectious diseases. It is in this pursuit that manufacturers from India supply antibiotics and anti-infectives. Currently India exports a wide range of specialized antibiotics including:

• Amoxicillin

• Azithromycin

• Ciprofloxacin

• Cefixime

• Doxycycline

How to Export Medicines from India?

To start a medicine export business from India, you must follow some important steps. Registering your business, obtaining an ICE (Import Export Code) from the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), and getting a drug export license from the state’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration) are some of the mandatory steps of the process.

The following are some crucial steps required to export medicines from India:

1. Register and Set Up Your Business

• Determine which business structure best suits your business. Common business structures in India include Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Private Limited, Public Limited, etc.

• Apply for a business PAN card for your company.

• Open a current account and obtain an AD Code (Authorized Dealer) from the bank.

• Register a GST number for your company.

2. Acquire Important Licenses and Registration Certifications

• IEC (Import Export Code): Open the DGFT portal and apply for the IEC, which is mandatory for all export businesses.

• Drug License: Visit your state FDA and apply for a drug license. If you do not have the necessary qualification as a pharmacist, you must hire someone with the relevant qualification.

• Pharmexcil Registration: Procure an RCMC (Redistration-cum-Membership Certificate) from the Pharmexcil (Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India).

• CDSCO NOC: Gain a NOC (No Objection Certificate) or COPP (Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product) from the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) depending on the nature of your shipment.

3. Comply with the Market Standards

• Make sure the manufacturer has a valid WHO-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification, as it is globally recognized.

• Conduct thorough research and register your pharmaceutical products in the destination country because local approval rules from foreign regulatory authorities are very strict.

4. Locate Buyers and Prepare Contracts

• Gather trade data, conduct global medical exhibitions, or use digital marketing tools to locate international buyers.

• Prepare a formal trade agreement for purchase order, product specifications, payment terms, credit letter (if any), etc.

5. Shipping Documents

• Prepare transaction invoices, packing lists, CoA (Certificate of Analysis, shipping bill, etc.

• Contact the authorized agent to acquire customs clearance by filing the shipping bill.

Top Countries Importing Medicines from India

As per the latest data India Brand Equity Foundation (IBFT) United States remains by far the largest importer of medicines from India. In fact, the top 5 export destinations are the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Brazil. 

Here is a quick overview of the top countries importing medicines from India:

How to Find Buyers for Medicine Export Business?

To find the top buyer for your medicine export business, you need to take multiple steps. 

• If you are new to the business, firstly register with the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexil).

• Attend trade fairs and look for the latest opportunities in the market. 

• Supply medicines to International health organizations for various global healthcare programs. 

• You must also list out your products on B2B marketplaces. B2B Trademart is one such platform where you can find importers of pharmaceuticals from India. 

• Our platform can assist you get queries from genuine overseas pharmaceutical buyers. 

Top Pharmaceutical Export Companies in India

Here is the list of top pharmaceutical export companies in India:

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

• Cipla Ltd. 

• Aurobindo Pharma

• Lupin Ltd.

• Zydus Lifesciences

• Torrent Pharmaceuticals 

• Alkem Laboratories

• Natco Pharma

• Biocon Ltd. 

Top Medicine HS Codes for Export

Here are the top medicine HS codes for export from India:

So, India exports medicines across a wide range of HS codes. These codes are internationally recognized product classification codes and can differ depending on the type of medicines. 

Future of Pharma Export from India (2026-2030)

India is one of the largest exporters of medicines in the world with a promising future. As per industry estimates, by 2030, the Indian pharmaceutical sector growth can reach $130 billion. 

Future prospects of medicine exports from India are characterized by:

• Indian pharmaceutical exports are expected to grow further because of its affordable pricing and easy availability. 

• Greater presence of Indian pharma companies in regulated markets. 

• Biosimilars and Biologic exports could also grow as generic medicines.

• Indian government and regulatory bodies are working to build stronger API manufacturing capabilities.

• Expanding reach across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia

Conclusion

To conclude the blog, with increased demand for Indian medicines and vaccines in the global healthcare market, India continues to be a major medicine exporter in the world. This is possible because of excellent quality manufacturing by Indian pharmaceutical companies and reasonable pricing. For companies looking to enter this space, it is important to understand the complete process of how to export medicines from India.