India Pharma Archives launched at IIM AhmedabadAn IIMA Archives–Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance initiative

Bangalore : For over a century, India’s pharmaceutical industry has been quietly rewriting what is possible: transforming scientific ambition into medicines that reach patients in over 200 countries. Generations of scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and healthcare leaders have built an industry that has helped establish India as the Pharmacy of the World.

Today that remarkable journey has found a new home.

Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, Government of India, launched the India Pharma Archives at the IIMA Healthcare Summit in Ahmedabad. It is the first publicly accessible digital platform capturing 125 years of Indian pharma history.

Also present were Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, along with industry leaders and academicians.

Earlier this year, the landmark coffee-table book – The Alchemy of Cure laid the foundation for the initiative. The India Pharma Archive now expands the story through a growing collection of rare historical material from across the pharmaceutical ecosystem, including company histories and archival collections, films and footage, interview transcripts, timelines and advanced search tools—making the industry’s institutional memory accessible to students, researchers, policymakers, historians and industry leaders.

Going beyond a traditional gallery, India Pharma Archives is designed as a living, continuously evolving archive. At its heart are Oral Histories that preserve the lived experiences of first-

generation founders – offering a window into the science, entrepreneurship, policy and leadership that shaped the industry.

India Pharma Archives at a glance

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sharvil Patel, MD, Zydus Lifesciences and President, IPA, said: “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a remarkable story of science, entrepreneurship and global impact. The India Pharma Archives celebrates this collective journey and will serve as a platform for new ideas, collaborations, and solutions that address the health challenges of tomorrow.”

Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA, said: “India Pharma Archives is not only about preserving history; it is about safeguarding the legacy of innovation for future generations. It will serve as a rich educational resource for students, researchers, and policymakers. It will showcase the resilience and breakthroughs that continue to inspire innovation, while reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in pharmaceuticals.”