Budget 2026 Boosts Healthcare with Biopharma Shakti, Medicine Affordability, and Medical Hubs

By:- Saurabh Gupta, Regional Director, KIMS Hospital.

The Union Budget 2026 marks a pivotal moment for India’s healthcare ecosystem. For the first time, the government has moved decisively not just on infrastructure and technology, but also on medicine affordability, a critical concern for patients and clinicians alike. By waiving customs duty on 17 cancer drugs and exempting medicines for rare diseases, the budget directly addresses the cost burden of life-saving therapies and unlocks wider access for millions of Indians. This, coupled with initiatives aimed at lowering input costs and enabling domestic pharmaceutical production, sets the stage for more affordable treatment options across chronic and acute care pathways.

Equally significant is the launch of the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti programme, which will accelerate advanced therapeutic manufacturing, research, and innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector. These measures complement the broader focus on capital investment, digital health integration, and workforce development, strengthening the foundation for quality care delivery at scale.

While sector challenges such as cost pressures and financing access remain, Budget 2026 reflects real intent. With strong execution and collaborative partnerships, we can make high-quality, affordable healthcare a reality for all Indians.

By:- Subodh Dandawate, Associate Director, Regulatory Advisory, Nexdigm

Proposed to set up 5 medical hubs and advancement of Ayush facilities will improve the medical facilities, encourage medical device production, create jobs and aim at making it cost effective.

By:- Prabhat Ranjan, Senior Director, Indirect Tax, Nexdigm

The newly announced ₹10,000 Crore Biopharma Fund is the ‘Booster Shot’ the industry needed. For companies planning greenfield projects, this transforms the ‘Make in India’ pitch from a slogan into a viable business case. The impact will be twofold: fast-tracking the infrastructure for complex biologics and creating a high-skilled ecosystem that rivals global hubs like Boston or Singapore. We are looking at a surge in domestic capacity that will not only serve Indian patients but aggressively target the global export market.