Medicines UK, which represents the generic and biosimilar medicines manufacturers and suppliers in the United Kingdom, has welcomed the newly signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK, while calling for a clear regulatory pathway to strengthen supply chain resilience.

The agreement was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (July 24, 2025).

The landmark deal grants India duty-free access for 99 percent of its exports to the UK, spanning almost the entire trade basket.

"We welcome the newly signed trade deal with India and see it as the beginning of a dynamic partnership that can deliver long-term prosperity to both nations,” said Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of Medicines UK.

He emphasised that a substantial portion of the UK’s off-patent medicines sector, which contributes GBP 4 billion annually to the UK economy, is powered by Indian trade.

"Nearly a third of our members are headquartered in India, with others relying on Indian manufacturing or contracted supply. Four in five NHS prescriptions are generics, and around one-third originate from India - making stronger bilateral trade ties a strategic imperative,” Samuels noted.

Medicines UK sees this agreement as a foundation and encourages further dialogue, particularly on regulatory alignment.

The association has urged both governments to adopt a ‘do it once’ approach— where one regulator's high-standard licensing, scientific advice, inspections and batch testing are recognised by others.

"This would reduce duplication, increase efficiency, and support global patient access,” Samuels said.

The association also called for joint efforts to position the UK as the preferred European entry point for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers.  

"We urge the UK and India to establish a clear regulatory pathway, with UK support where helpful, ultimately aiming for mutual recognition. Attracting more Indian manufacturers to launch their products in the UK should be a shared goal - positioning the UK as the preferred European entry point,” he added.  

Given the NHS's reliance on India for medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Medicines UK proposed an explicit agreement to safeguard continuity of supply during critical incidents such as future pandemics.

“Combined with policies that build domestic manufacturing capacity, this would strengthen resilience across UK supply chains,” Samuels stated.

In a joint press statement, PM Modi said that the agreement would particularly benefit India’s youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector.   

He added that the UK-made products, including medical devices and aerospace components, will become more accessible and affordable for Indian consumers and industries.