Where India is going wrong in its goal to find new drugs

Fundamental research is the ‘silent engine’ of modern medicine. Before a scientist can design a pill or a new therapeutic technology, they must first understand the biology of the disease, including what is defective in the diseased state. This is particularly true for rare genetic disorders, where the roadmap to a cure is often missing.

With this in mind, the Government of India has moved beyond generic manufacturing toward high-value innovation through the National Policy on Research and Development (2023) and the ₹5,000 crore PRIP scheme. By modernising clinical trial rules and launching the Bio-E3 Policy (2024), the nation is building a self-reliant ecosystem for cutting-edge drug discovery and precision medicine.