Write history of pharmacy profession in India.

The history of India’s pharmacy profession,can be divided into four distinct and transformative periods :

▪︎Pre-1970s: The Nascent StageIn the early 20th century, India’s pharmaceutical landscape was largely dominated by multinational corporations (MNCs). The legal framework, governed by the Indian Patents and Designs Act of 1911, provided strong product patent protection that favored these foreign firms, allowing them to maintain a monopoly and keep drug prices high. Despite this, a foundation for domestic production was laid with the establishment of Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Works in Calcutta in 1930, the first Indian-owned pharmaceutical company. However, the overall size of the indigenous industry remained small, with limited production capabilities for both bulk drugs and formulations. State-owned companies, founded in the 1950s and 60s, aimed to build a foundation for self-sufficiency, but the market remained under foreign control.

▪︎1970-1995: The Generic RevolutionThe most pivotal moment in Indian pharmaceutical history was the enactment of the Patents Act of 1970. This revolutionary legislation abolished product patents for pharmaceuticals and instead recognized only process patents. This meant that Indian companies were legally free to reverse-engineer and manufacture patented drugs using an alternative chemical process, without paying royalties to the original patent holder. This single policy change unleashed a phenomenal expansion of the domestic industry. Indian firms capitalized on their low-cost manufacturing advantage to produce affordable generic medicines. The results were dramatic: between 1970 and 1995, the number of domestic pharmaceutical firms exploded from around 2,000 to 24,000. Production of bulk drugs surged from ₹18 crores to ₹1318 crores, while formulations grew from ₹150 crores to ₹7935 crores.

▪︎1995-2005: The Transitional PeriodThis decade marked a period of significant adjustment as India prepared to integrate with the global economy. After signing the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO), India was obligated to amend its patent laws to align with international standards. This meant re-introducing product patents. During this time, the Indian industry had already established itself as a global powerhouse in generics, earning the title “pharmacy of the poor” for supplying affordable medicines worldwide. The domestic market continued to expand at a faster rate than the global average, and companies began to scale up their capacities in anticipation of the changing legal landscape.

▪︎Post-2005: The Modern Product Patent EraA new era began with the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005, which came into effect on January 1, 2005. This act officially abolished the 1970 process patent system and established a full-fledged product patent regime. This fundamentally altered the industry’s business model, ending the era of easy reverse-engineering. The shift incentivized a greater focus on clinical research, new drug development, and collaboration. It also encouraged MNCs to re-enter the Indian market with their patented products, as evidenced by Merck & Co. establishing its subsidiary in India after a 20-year absence. This legislation positioned India to compete not just in generics but also in pharmaceutical innovation.