Union Budget 2025: What Pharma Experts Have to Say Post-Budget

Industry experts from the healthcare segment made their remarks post-budget 2025. The budget strengthens India's commitment to health innovation, inclusive growth and improved access to nutrition. The exemption of around 40 life-saving drugs from essential customs duty can significantly benefit the pharmaceutical sector. Experts have also shared a more positive view of the budget.

Below are the excerpts from industry experts: 

“The Union Budget 2025 – 26 continues to build upon India’s growth story by focusing on the Garib, Youth, Annadata and Nari, making sure that the four pillars of the economy are well taken care of. Committing to women empowerment alongside better health care is very significant, and the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 schemes will support nutrition to mothers, children, and adolescent girls. These initiatives will go a long way in making India a healthier nation.

The daycare cancer centres in the district hospitals will be the most beneficial announcement as they ensure that people all around the country will have easy and timely access to cancer care. Further, the inclusion of 36 life-saving drugs into the full customs duty exemption and the concessional rates for others will aid patients suffering from cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. Strengthening the Indian medical economy and making vital medicines more affordable will have a positive impact on society.

A customized tariff structure will aid the pharmaceutical sector in making manufacturing and the export of medicines easier, putting India in a stronger position as a pharmaceutical superpower. The government’s intention of lowering the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and the new manufacturing mission under ‘Make in India’ will also boost development and further aid the innovation.

This budget strengthens India’s consumption story as well as further inclusion. As we step forward into a ‘Viksit Bharat’, the areas of healthcare, women, and industrial expansion will greatly influence the tomorrow.”

- Dr. Saloni Wagh, MD, Supriya Lifescience Ltd.

“The government has laid a strong emphasis on healthcare with multiple measures from increasing medical insurance coverage at the individual level to promoting Global Capability Centers in tier 2 cities.

We applaud the exemption of 36 life-saving drugs from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and the addition of six more medicines under concessional duty will provide significant relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, rare diseases, and other chronic conditions. The expansion of Patient Assistance Programs, with new medicines and additional programs, will ensure that more patients can access vital treatments.

The government’s focus on increasing PG and UG in medical colleges, will improve the patient to HCP ratio and thereby the access and quality to care. These efforts are highly appreciated and we look forward to continued collaboration with the government to enhance healthcare access for all."

- Shweta Rai, Managing Director for India and Country Division Head for South Asia, Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals

“The Union Budget 2024-25 reinforces India’s commitment to inclusive growth, healthcare innovation, and improved access to nutrition. The strengthened support for Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 is a crucial step to ensure better health outcomes for children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women.

The government's push to enhance production and consumption of essential fruits and vegetables is a great step to improve nutritional accessibility. We applaud the efforts of the government and look forward to collaborating towards making ‘Health for All’ a reality.”

- Sandeep Verma, Country Head for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Bayer Consumer Health

The 2025 Union Budget’s continued focus on healthcare and wellness presents significant opportunities for the nutraceutical industry. The comprehensive program outlined by the Finance Minister for promoting vegetables and fruits reflects a broader shift towards a healthier India. With rising awareness of nutritional needs, the consumption of nutritious foods is on the rise. The government's targeted initiatives to enhance the availability and accessibility of these essential food items are a step forward in ensuring that improved nutrition benefits a wider segment of the population. Furthermore, the emphasis on preventive healthcare and the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure are pivotal in advancing national health goals. The plan to support R&D and manufacturers will fuel innovation, driving growth in the sector and positioning India as a global leader in the wellness space," 

- Gaurav Soni, Founder & MD, Botanic Healthcare.

"The government’s commitment to strengthening pharmaceutical production, particularly for critical drugs like those for cancer and rare diseases, is a decisive step toward a healthier India and reinforces the country’s position as the ‘Pharmacy of the World.’ The duty exemptions on 36 life-saving medicines and bulk drugs, along with concessions on six more essential medicines, will further bolster the industry and enhance collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and manufacturers.

Additionally, the government has allocated ?98,311 crore for developing, maintaining and improving the country’s healthcare system, the announcement of 200 new daycare cancer centers in 2025-26, as part of a broader initiative to establish such facilities in every district hospital over the next three years, will significantly improve access to specialized oncology care. This will ensure timely treatment and the availability of high-quality medicines, bringing much-needed cancer care closer to patients.Beyond access to medicines, the government’s strong push for medical tourism under the ‘Heal in India’ initiative will further position India as a global healthcare hub. With enhanced medical infrastructure, more international patients will be drawn to India for high-quality, cost-effective treatments. This presents a significant opportunity for the pharmaceutical sector to support hospitals and healthcare providers with world-class drugs and innovations tailored to diverse patient needs.

Moreover, the establishment of National Centres of Excellence for skill development is a pivotal step toward building a future-ready pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. A highly skilled workforce is the backbone of innovation, and investing in talent across research, drug development, and advanced manufacturing will further strengthen India’s leadership in the global pharmaceutical industry."

- Shaunak Amin, the Managing Director of Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited