IIM Ahmedabad launches digital archive documenting 125 years of Indian pharma history

On August 22, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) launched India Pharma Archives, a digital platform chronicling 125 years of India's pharmaceutical industry. The platform was unveiled at the IIMA Healthcare Summit in Ahmedabad by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel. Notable attendees included Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The platform, a collaboration between IIMA and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), is the first of its kind to capture India's pharmaceutical journey from 1901 to 2025, with over 1,000 documents and resources.

The India Pharma Archives features oral histories, more than 250 video stories, rare films, and historical footage, as well as profiles of more than 30 industry leaders and company histories. Developed by IIM Ahmedabad, the platform aims to serve as a knowledge resource for researchers, students, policymakers, historians, and aspiring industry leaders.

IPA President and managing director of Zydus Lifesciences, Sharvil Patel, highlighted the remarkable story of the Indian pharmaceutical industry as a testament to science, entrepreneurship, and global impact.

IPA members collectively account for more than 85% of private-sector pharmaceutical and investment activity in the country, contributing over 80% of India's pharmaceutical exports and representing more than 64% of the domestic pharmaceutical market. The archive serves as a dynamic platform for new ideas, collaborations, and solutions to address future health challenges.