India Eyes AI‑Powered Drug Discovery: From Pharmacy to Laboratory

AI as a Force Multiplier in Healthcare Health Minister Anupriya Patel, speaking at the Healthcare Summit 2026 at IIM Ahmedabad, stressed that India must move from being the "pharmacy of the world" to becoming a "laboratory of the world". She highlighted AI’s role in tackling regional disparities, specialist shortages and limited access to advanced diagnostics. AI can deliver personalised treatment for India’s genetically diverse population, a key challenge for a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.

Government Initiatives & Future Outlook The government’s Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma‑MedTech (PRIP) will provide a Rs 5,000 crore outlay to connect academic institutions with industry, encouraging a shift from cost‑based manufacturing to innovation‑led growth. Initiatives such as MadhuNetra AI, the National Telemedicine Network (eSanjeevani) and the designation of AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Rishikesh and PGIMER Chandigarh as Centres of Excellence for AI in healthcare underscore this commitment. At the summit, Patel also unveiled the India Pharma Archives, a digital platform documenting 125 years of India’s pharmaceutical history, and a book on COVID‑19 vaccine development.

The Path Forward Collaboration among government, industry, academia and other stakeholders will be crucial for building a robust national AI ecosystem. By leveraging AI for drug discovery and personalised medicine, India aims to reduce dependence on imported discoveries, address the dual burden of communicable and non‑communicable diseases, and bring health equity within reach for all citizens.