India's pharma packaging: Evolving from cost to care

India's pharma packaging industry is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving from a cost-driven supplier ecosystem into a global hub of innovation that blends technology, sustainability, and patient-centered design.

- Sekhar Babu Puli, Associate VP - Packaging Development, MSN Laboratories

As the nation's role as the “pharmacy of the world” expands beyond drug manufacturing, packaging is emerging as a strategic enabler of quality, safety, and trust. From bio-based polymers and recyclable laminates to loT-enabled smart packs and personalised delivery systems, the next generation of pharma packaging is redefining how medicines are protected, authenticated, and experienced. Packaging experts and leaders explain how driven by regulatory rigour, digital integration, and environmental responsibility, packaging is no longer just about securing medicines, they're shaping the very future of healthcare delivery

From cost efficiency to global innovation

Sekhar Babu Puli, Associate VP - Packaging Development, MSN Laboratories

India's pharma packaging industry is undergoing a decisive evolution, transitioning from a cost-efficient supplier base to a globally integrated innovation ecosystem. The shift is driven by converging global forces: stricter regulatory compliance, sustainability imperatives, digitisation, and a patient-centered healthcare model.

For years, India has been the “pharmacy of the world,” supplying affordable medicines to over 200 countries. Now, the same narrative is extending into the packaging domain. Indian packaging manufacturers are no longer focusing merely on containment; they are moving toward value creation through functionality, safety, and sustainability.