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The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has hailed the Union Budget that balances industrial growth with profound sensitivity toward patient care.
Highlighting the progressive nature of today’s announcements, AIOCD president J S Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal described the fiscal plan as a transformative document that will cement India’s status as a global pharmaceutical hub while ensuring life-saving treatments remain within reach of the common man. The organization particularly lauded the budget for its far-sighted approach to research, innovation, and the strengthening of the domestic supply chain.
A Central highlight for the chemist fraternity is the humane proposal to grant a complete exemption from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on 36 life-saving medicines, specifically those targeting cancer and other rare, serious diseases. According to the AIOCD, this rationalization of tariffs is a decisive step that will lead to a significant reduction in out-of-pocket expenses for families battling chronic illnesses. Coupled with the addition of 37 new medicines and 13 new patient assistance programmes, the budget reflects a clear government mandate to place the highest priority on the welfare of the Indian patient.
The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector received a massive boost through the unveiling of the five-year Biopharma Shakti initiative, backed by a Rs. 10,000 crore outlay. AIOCD leaders noted that this programme is essential for developing a self-reliant ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars, categories that represent the next frontier of medical technology. By aiming to train one lakh specialized healthcare professionals and strengthening the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, the government is effectively positioning India to compete globally in the high-tech medicine market while fostering domestic innovation.
In a move to bridge the long-standing gap between industry and academia, the budget proposed the establishment of three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and the upgradation of seven existing institutions. The AIOCD believes this academic momentum will be instrumental in developing a skilled human resource pool capable of driving quality research. Further, the plan to create a nationwide network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites is expected to put India on the global map for clinical research, attracting international investment and speeding up the delivery of new drug discoveries to patients.
The budget also signalled a major win for integrated medicine by providing a strong impetus to the Ayush sector through the announcement of three dedicated Ayurvedic AIIMS and new national-level testing laboratories. By integrating traditional wisdom with modern fiscal discipline and rigorous testing standards, the government is creating a holistic healthcare framework. The AIOCD expressed confidence that these measures will not only boost traditional medicine production but also ensure that Ayurvedic treatments are backed by the same scientific credibility as conventional pharmaceuticals.
Concluding their remarks, the AIOCD leadership emphasized that the special emphasis on drug discovery and R&D incentives marks a decisive shift toward an innovation-driven pharmaceutical economy. They noted that the budget has ushered in a new era of hope for the entire healthcare ecosystem, from manufacturers and chemists to millions of patients across the country. By aligning infrastructure, skilling, and affordability, the 2026-27 Union Budget sets a clear and disciplined trajectory toward achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
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