India is strengthening its position as a global pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing hub, supported by industry growth, expanding scientific capabilities and an evolving regulatory framework, said Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi at the 25th Pharmaceutical Analysts’ Convention (PAC) 2026 in Mumbai.

Addressing the two-day convention organised by the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), Dr Raghuvanshi described India as the ‘pharma innovation foundry of the world’. He highlighted the pharmaceutical industry's double-digit growth and the role of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in supporting its development. He also called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to continuously upgrade their quality management systems and adopt emerging technologies to accelerate innovation, improve global competitiveness and meet evolving international regulatory expectations.

Organised under the theme "Transforming Quality. Inspiring Innovation", the silver jubilee convention brought together regulatory officials, pharmaceutical industry leaders, pharmacopoeial experts, quality management professionals and academicians. Discussions focused on developments in pharmaceutical manufacturing, analytical sciences, regulatory compliance, quality management and technological innovation.

Deputy Drugs Controller (India) Dr Santosh Indraksha said India was positioned to emerge as a global leader in innovation-led drug discovery, research and development. He emphasised the need for pharmaceutical companies to strengthen quality systems, invest in advanced technologies and develop technical capabilities to address changing international regulatory requirements.

IDMA National President Bharat Shah highlighted quality as a critical factor in the growth and international competitiveness of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. He stressed the importance of upgrading quality management systems, adopting technological advancements and integrating research and innovation into manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with global standards.

IDMA Secretary General Dr T. S. Parmar called for greater industry-wide collaboration to address emerging quality and regulatory challenges. He highlighted the role of pharmaceutical analysts in maintaining product quality, consistency and safety throughout the manufacturing process. He also emphasised the need for analysts to develop stronger scientific, technical and problem-solving capabilities as pharmaceutical operations become increasingly technology-driven.

Constance Richard Math, Deputy Country Director of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) India Office in New Delhi and Guest of Honour, said improving drug quality would require pharmaceutical companies to move beyond a compliance-focused approach towards building organisational resilience. She highlighted the importance of reliable data, resilient supply chains and stronger engagement between regulators and industry. She also referred to the US FDA's engagement with India at the state level.

Padma Bhushan awardee Professor Dr Jyeshtharaj Bhalchandra Joshi, Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, and chief guest and keynote speaker, emphasised the importance of scientific research, disruptive approaches and an innovation-oriented mindset in advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing. He highlighted the potential of indigenous engineering and technological development, including designing and manufacturing reactors in India at lower costs without compromising quality or process efficiency.

The technical sessions and panel discussions examined the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technologies and data-driven systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality management. Discussions covered their potential to improve analytical processes, operational efficiency, data integrity and the identification of quality deviations. Experts also highlighted the need for appropriate validation, governance and regulatory oversight to support technology adoption.

The deliberations highlighted the importance of integrating scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing technologies and robust quality management systems to strengthen India's pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness.