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Tamil Nadu has secured a prominent position among the top 10 exporting states in global drug trade, registering unprecedented growth in pharmaceutical shipments over the past year, according to K. Rajabanu, Director General of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).
Speaking as the chief guest at a high-level industry seminar titled ‘PharmaConnect - 2026’ held at Hotel Anand Grand Palace in Hosur, Rajabanu emphasized that Indian pharmaceutical companies must strictly adhere to international quality standards and compliance procedures to sustain this upward growth momentum in the competitive global marketplace.
The day-long seminar was organized under the banner of the Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association (IPGA), Tamil Nadu Branch, to create comprehensive awareness regarding drug manufacturing, export regulations, and global trade compliance among pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and exporters across the industrial belt. Presided over by A Arivazhagan, president of the IPGA Tamil Nadu Branch, the event was coordinated by patron R Narayanasamy, general secretary Sakthivel Ekambaram, and treasurer K Rameshkumar, drawing significant participation from regional industry stakeholders.
Underlining the untapped potential of the domestic manufacturing sector, Rajabanu highlighted that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India possess enormous opportunities to ramp up drug exports to international markets. He urged professional associations, trade bodies, and merchant distributors to actively mentor MSME units in upgrading their facility standards and navigating regulatory frameworks, assuring that Pharmexcil, functioning under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, stands fully committed to providing necessary technical and institutional assistance in this regard.
Industry experts and regulatory officials addressed the technical sessions during the seminar, offering critical insights into global compliance and quality management systems. Notable speakers included former joint drugs controller (CDSCO) Dr K Bangarurajan, Dr K Narendran from CDSCO, and Dr R Athiyaman, assistant director of drugs control at Dharmapuri Zone, who explained the thematic objective of PharmaConnect 2026 in strengthening Hosur's emerging industrial ecosystem.
Trade analysts explain that Tamil Nadu’s pharmaceutical sector currently commands over six percent of India’s overall drug export basket, establishing the state as a key manufacturing hub alongside traditional pharma powerhouses like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana. The state's robust infrastructure, port connectivity, and growing cluster of formulation facilities have played a pivotal role in accelerating trade volumes to international destinations across North America, Europe, and developing markets.
The seminar served as an interactive platform for local entrepreneurs to address operational bottlenecks, export documentation, and quality audit practices required for entering regulated overseas markets. Speakers reiterated that adopting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and aligning with international regulatory guidelines remain non-negotiable for manufacturers aiming to expand their global footprint.
Around 100 prominent delegates, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale distributors, bulk drug traders, and merchant exporters from Hosur and adjoining zones, actively participated in the deliberations. The event concluded with a collective call to transform Hosur into a major pharmaceutical export hub through enhanced regulatory compliance and strategic industry collaboration.
Located along the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border, Hosur is rapidly emerging as a strategic cross-border pharmaceutical hub bridging the two states. Leveraging its prime geographic proximity to Bengaluru and robust infrastructure, the industrial town currently houses around 20 pharmaceutical formulation units and medical device manufacturing companies, establishing itself as a vital cluster in the region's expanding healthcare ecosystem.
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