Tech, trust and traceability: Shaping India pharma's future

At the PPL Conclave 2026, hosted by Express Pharma, industry leaders explored how innovation, operational excellence and evolving regulations are positioning packaging as a strategic driver in India's pharma growth, reports Neha Aathavale

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The eighth edition of the Pharma Packaging & Labelling Conclave, organised by Express Pharma, brought together packaging heads, regulatory leaders, material scientists and technology providers from across India Pharma Inc. The conversations were not about discovering something entirely new. Instead, they focused on examining what is already unfolding across plants, R&D centres and boardrooms, and analysing it through sharper operational and strategic lenses.

Over two days, the conclave revisited familiar industry pressure points while layering them with new realities around artificial intelligence, connected systems, global compliance shifts and advances in material science. Across sessions, a common understanding emerged. Packaging is no longer a downstream activity that begins after formulation finalisation. It increasingly influences development pathways, regulatory submissions, cost structures, lifecycle management and patient experience.

Leadership priorities redefining packaging

From the outset, discussions were anchored in practical leadership priorities. The opening leadership session, moderated by Viveka Roychowdhury, Editor, Express Pharma, brought together Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals; M Gopi Reddy, Vice President and Head - Corporate Quality, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries; and Atul Shastri, President - Global Operations, Eugia Pharma Specialities, to examine what pharma leaders must get right about packaging today.