Hyderabad: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Telangana, on Saturday called for India to take global leadership in green chemistry and sustainable pharma manufacturing, emphasising innovation, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking at a seminar held at the CII Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, Dr Sarvesh Singh, Director and CEO of Telangana Lifesciences, said India must transition from volume-based to value-based pharmaceutical leadership. He stressed that green chemistry enhances supply chain responsibility, operational safety, cost efficiency, and regulatory approvals.
The event, titled “Sustainable Pharma Manufacturing and Green Chemistry,” brought together senior stakeholders from the pharma and chemical sectors to share best practices and discuss challenges in implementing eco-friendly manufacturing.
Green chemistry adoption in MSMEs needs shared infrastructure support
Ch. Rameswara Rao, National President of the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association, pointed out that while large companies have begun adopting green chemistry, MSMEs face hurdles due to high upfront costs. He proposed that the Telangana government develop shared infrastructure, such as bulk drug parks, to aid solvent recovery and reduce environmental impact and operational costs.
Dr Narendran of the CDSCO highlighted that green synthesis aims to reduce hazardous chemical use and minimise solvent consumption while aligning with global safety and environmental standards. Regulatory agencies, he said, are focused on validating such processes without compromising patient safety.
Raja Bhanu of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council noted India’s strong position in global pharma, with $30.4 billion in exports to nearly 200 countries. He said the focus on sustainability at recent international forums underscored the relevance of green practices.
Industry leaders, including Deepak Sapra of Dr Reddy’s and Dr Anand Kumar of Indian Immunologicals, echoed the need for integrating scientific innovation with ecological accountability to future-proof India’s pharmaceutical growth.