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:
Category
Examples
Diagnostic Equipment
Ultrasonic Scanners, MRI and ECG machines
Surgical Instruments
Surgical scissors, Precision tools, Scalpels
Disposable Supplies
Syringes, Needles, Gloves, IV bags
Medical Consumables
Bandages, Catheters, Dressings
Respiratory Equipment
Ventilators, Oxygen concentrators
Orthopedic Devices
Orthopedic Implants, Braces
Dental Equipment
Dental Chairs, Implants
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
Step-by-Step Process to Export Medicines from India
Medicine export from India is operated within strict regulatory guidelines by governing bodies such as the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) and CDSCO. So when you wonder how to export medicines from India, you first need to know what the basic requirements are.
There are certain documents and licenses that need to be taken before you export medicines from India. It is essentially a step-by-step process.
Licenses Required for Pharmaceutical Exports from India
Pharmaceuticals and drugs affect the health of people, this is the reason that the industry is highly regulated with mandatory licenses. Here is the list of the most important certifications or licenses that you need to export medicines from India:
- IEC Certificate: Import Export Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade is a mandatory license for international trade. You need IEC certificate to export pharmaceuticals and clear customs.
- Drug License: Obtain a drug license from your state’s Food and Drug Administration.
- GST Registration: Your firm should have a GST registration number. While GST is not charged on exported medicines. You can claim refunds on eligible input taxes paid on raw materials, transportation, and business inputs.
- RCMC Certificate: Officially register with Pharmexil as a pharmaceutical exporter and get the Registration Cum Membership Certificate.
- WHO-GMP Certification: World Health Organization Good-Manufacturing-Practices (GMP) certificate is required by many importing countries. It essentially certifies that pharmaceutical manufacturing units follow internationally accepted standards.
Documents Required to Export Medicines from India
To export pharmaceutical products from India, you need documents related to your company, manufacturing unit, products and for your exporting destinations. Following are the documents you need:
Business Documents
- Company registration certificate (Private Limited Company, LLP, Partnership, Proprietorship)
- PAN card
- Import Export Code (IEC)
- Bank account details
- Authorized signatory documents
Product Documents
- Drug manufacturing license
- Product registration certificate
- Manufacturing license
- WHO-GMP certificate
Shipping Documents
- Packing list
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of landing for sea shipment
- Airway bill for air shipment
- Letter of Credit (LC) if applicable
- Certificate of origin
- Insurance certificate
Country-Specific Documents
You need different documents depending on which country you are exporting to:
- African Countries (WHO-GMP, COPP, Product registration certificate, Free sale certificate)
- United States (USFDA facility registration)
- European Union (EU-GMP compliance certificate, Pharmacovigilance documentation)
- Gulf Countries (Arabic labeling registration, GCC product registration, COPP)
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:
Rank
Country
Share of India’s Pharma Exports (Approx.)
1
United States
31-32%
2
United Kingdom
3%
3
Netherlands
3%
4
South Africa
3%
5
Brazil
2-3%
6
France
2%
7
Nigeria
2%
8
Russia
2%
9
Germany
2%
10
Australia
1-2%
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:
Medicine Category
Typical HS Codes
Cardiovascular Tablets
3004
Diabetes Medicines
3004
Antibiotic Formulations
3004
Cancer Medicines
3004
Vaccines
3002
APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients)
2933, 2934, 2941
Vitamin Supplements
2936/3004
Injectable Medicines
3004
Syrup and Oral Liquids
3004
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.
FAQ
Can we export medicines from India without a manufacturing unit?
Yes, you can export medicines from India without a manufacturing unit. For this need to operate at Merchant Exporter.
Is drug license mandatory for medicine export?
Drug license is mandatory for medicine export from India.
Which country imports most medicines from India?
The United States is the largest importer of medicines from India.
How profitable is the pharma export business?
Profitability in the pharma export business from India depends on the type of medicines and drugs. The net profit margin is generally 10-20%.
Can Ayurveda medicines be exported?
Absolutely. You can export Ayurveda medicine across various countries in the world. Over the years, India has gained popularity as the major ayurveda medicines exporter to over 100 countries globally.
Which medicines are in highest demand globally from India?
When it comes to exports, the medicines for chronic, metabolic, cardiovascular, cancer and immune-related diseases are in the highest demand globally from India.