PHARMAC South - Pharma & Healthcare Exhibition

Event overview

Overview

Pharmac South 2027 is South India's dedicated B2B exhibition for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and contract manufacturing. Held on 8–9 July at Chennai Trade Centre, Halls 3A and 3B, the 2027 edition brings machinery makers, API and excipient suppliers, packaging specialists, analytical laboratories and cleanroom contractors together with drug manufacturers and marketers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

A concurrent conference by IDMA's Tamil Nadu board covers Schedule M readiness, quality systems and MSME growth. With 200+ exhibitors, a 5,000 sqm air-conditioned hall and 10,000+ expected trade visitors, it is a practical sourcing and regulatory update stop for the southern pharma cluster.

TL;DR

1South India's focused pharma and nutraceutical manufacturing expo returns to Chennai on 8–9 July 2027.
2Halls 3A and 3B at Chennai Trade Centre host 200+ exhibitors across machinery, APIs, packaging and lab technology.
3A concurrent IDMA Tamil Nadu conference covers Schedule M compliance, quality systems and MSME growth.
4Expect 10,000+ B2B visitors from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
5Visitor registration is required; the show is strictly for pharmaceutical industry professionals.

Why visit

Use Pharmac South to compare production machinery, packaging lines, laboratory instruments and cleanroom services in one air-conditioned hall, then meet the contract manufacturers and API suppliers behind them. The IDMA conference adds a practical regulatory briefing on Schedule M and quality systems, while the Chennai location keeps travel and hotel costs low for southern teams.

Why exhibit

Southern India's pharma MSMEs are investing in facility upgrades, automation and nutraceutical capacity, and they come to Chennai to shortlist suppliers. A stand puts your machinery, packaging, analytical or contract-service offer in front of owner-operators, purchase heads and technical managers who are actively specifying equipment, with two days of concentrated B2B matchmaking.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Purchase and procurement heads sourcing machinery, packaging and lab equipment for formulation plants

Production, quality control and regulatory managers preparing facilities for revised Schedule M

Founders and promoters of MSME pharma and nutraceutical companies in South India

Contract manufacturing, API and excipient buyers looking for regional suppliers

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Pharmaceutical processing, packaging, printing and cleanroom equipment manufacturers

API, excipient, nutraceutical ingredient and contract manufacturing suppliers

Analytical laboratory, instrumentation and quality-control service providers

Regulatory, licensing, legal, logistics and pharma software providers

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Pharmaceutical machinery and process equipment

Packaging, printing and labelling systems

APIs, excipients and bulk drugs

Nutraceutical and herbal products

Analytical and laboratory instruments

Cleanroom, HVAC and utility services

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Halls & areas

Hall 3AHall 3B

Chennai Trade Centre

Hall 3A & 3B, Chennai Trade Centre, CTC Complex, Nandambakkam, Chennai 600089, Tamil Nadu, India

Entrances & gates

Hall 3A & 3B main entrance

Hall 3AHall 3B

Registration and badge check at the hall entrance.

Facilities

Parking

Ample on-site parking; charges may apply based on duration.

Food options

Chennai Trade Centre food court

On-site dining

Parking: On-site parking is available at the Chennai Trade Centre; charges may apply by duration. Arrive via the CTC Complex gate on Mount Poonamallee High Road.

Gate: Use the Hall 3A/3B entrance from the CTC Complex forecourt; carry a printed or digital visitor pass and government photo ID.

Attend

Entry & tickets

Trade-only

Event days & opening times

DayOpening hours

10:00 AM –6:00 PM

Ticket info

Badge collection

Bring your entry pass, a government-issued photo ID and business cards. Children are not permitted.

Ticket notes

No 2027 ticket price was published. Visitor registration is required and is aimed at pharmaceutical industry professionals.

Who runs the show

Organisers

Orbit Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.

Organiser

Email Website

Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) – Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Kerala State Board

Industry association and conference partner

Website

What's on

Programme

Topic tracks

Regulatory Compliance and Schedule MManufacturing Automation and Cleanroom TechnologyNutraceuticals and Contract Manufacturing Growth

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Last edition

2025

Completed

Exhibitors: 150

Edition #: 10

Visitor countries: 17

This edition

2027

Visitors: 10,000

Exhibitors: 200

Floor area: 5,000 sqm

Next edition

Not announced yet

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

The 2025 tenth edition drew over 150 exhibitors and a small but genuinely international visitor tail of 32 buyers from 17 countries, according to the post-show trade report. The organisers are now marketing the 2027 edition at 200+ exhibitors and 10,000+ B2B visitors, which implies a step-up in scale rather than a proven audited jump. For a supplier, the realistic opportunity is the dense South Indian MSME buyer base; for a visitor, it is a compact floor where machinery, packaging, ingredients and lab services can be compared in two days.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

The audience is narrow and operational: owner-promoters, purchase heads, production managers, QA/QC leads and regulatory staff from formulation, nutraceutical and contract manufacturing companies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. That makes conversations technical and specification-led rather than general marketing. International attendance exists but is thin, so exhibitors should not treat the show as a gateway to large overseas volume without their own buyer invitations.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Return on a 9 sqm stand depends on booking early and pre-arranging meetings with southern MSME accounts. Machinery and packaging suppliers with a live demonstration and a clear Schedule M upgrade story are best placed; commodity ingredient suppliers will face price-led conversations. The show is regional, so a modest stand and two staff usually beat a large build, and follow-up within a week is essential because buyers are comparing several Chennai and Hyderabad suppliers.

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

South India

Why it matters

Tamil Nadu and nearby southern states form one of India's densest pharma clusters, with hundreds of formulation, API and nutraceutical units due to upgrade facilities for revised Schedule M. Chennai gives buyers and suppliers a two-day regional meeting point that is cheaper to reach than national expos in Delhi or Mumbai, and keeps sourcing close to the MSME base that dominates the south.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Schedule M upgrades drive equipment spending

Indian pharma manufacturers are revising premises, utilities and quality systems to meet the updated Schedule M requirements, creating demand for cleanroom, HVAC, water and validation services.

What it changes: Suppliers with compliance-ready equipment and documentation can win upgrade budgets at the show.

Automation and digitalisation on the factory floor

Manufacturers are moving from manual batch operations to automated lines, electronic batch records and data-linked quality systems to improve yield and audit readiness.

What it changes: Machinery and software exhibitors can demonstrate measurable productivity gains to owner-operators.

Nutraceuticals and contract manufacturing expand

Growing wellness demand and outsourcing are pushing South Indian MSMEs into nutraceutical formulations and contract manufacturing for larger brands.

What it changes: Ingredient, packaging and CMO suppliers gain a regional route to new product launches.

South India and national pharma buying circuit

Plan Pharmac South as the July regional stop, then the November–December national circuit for larger capex and export discussions.

Pharmac South anchors the southern pharma calendar; national buyers also use CPhI India, P-MEC India and iPHEX to compare machinery, APIs and outsourcing partners.

24–26 Nov 2027

CPhI India 2027

Greater Noida, India

Circuit dates are an estimate; confirm on the organiser site.

website

24–26 Nov 2027

P-MEC India 2027

Greater Noida, India

Held alongside CPhI India; dates are an estimate.

website

7–9 Dec 2027

iPHEX 2027

Hyderabad, India

Dates are an estimate; confirm the official calendar.

website

July regional window

Pharmac South 2027

Best for southern MSME sourcing and regulatory briefings.

Nov–Dec national window

CPhI India 2027P-MEC India 2027iPHEX 2027

Best for national capex, exports and larger supplier meetings.

Circuit dates are planning estimates from the known annual calendar, not confirmed 2027 organiser announcements.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · INR

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

MAA

Chennai International Airport

Closest airport; domestic and international terminals are about 12 km from Nandambakkam.

12 km

to venue

25–40 min

by car

TIR

Tirupati Airport

Alternate airport for some domestic routes; only use if MAA connections are unavailable.

135 km

to venue

3–3.5 hours

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

budget

T. Nagar / Guindy

USD 40–70 / night

Clean business hotels within 20–30 minutes of the venue; rates rise during the show week.

mid

Guindy / Nandanam

USD 90–150 / night

Best balance of drive time and meeting facilities; book a cancellable rate early.

premium

Guindy / Nungambakkam

USD 180–300 / night

Luxury options for senior delegations, 20–35 minutes from Chennai Trade Centre.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Chennai Metro + auto

Estimated costINR 20–60 metro; INR 150–250 auto

Best forAirport Metro to Guindy, then auto to Nandambakkam

Cheapest option; allow 45–60 minutes with the interchange.

App cab (Ola / Uber)

Estimated costINR 350–650 from airport

Best forMAA airport or city hotel to Chennai Trade Centre

Use the app pickup zone at the airport; traffic is heavy on Mount Poonamallee High Road at peak hours.

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa required

ATA Carnet: check with organiser

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
e-Business Visa	Most foreign business visitors attending an exhibition or meeting Indian suppliers	$80.00	3–5 business days

Indian passport holders do not need a visa. Some foreign nationals may be eligible for visa-free or e-visa categories; check the official portal before booking.

Do not assume ATA Carnet coverage for India; confirm the temporary-import route and any bond with your freight forwarder.

Official visa page

Weather

July is warm and humid in Chennai, with daytime temperatures around 30–35°C and occasional monsoon showers. Carry light cotton clothing, an umbrella and a spare shirt for outdoor transfers.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

Indian mobile data is inexpensive; pick up a local eSIM or prepaid SIM with Aadhaar/passport KYC. Wi-Fi is available at hotels but not guaranteed across the show floor.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Business etiquette

Handshakes are common in corporate settings; use surnames and titles until invited otherwise. Meetings can start with brief informal conversation before the agenda.

Food and dress

Tamil Nadu has strong vegetarian and filter-coffee traditions. Smart casual or business formals work at the venue; avoid leather-heavy clothing in the July humidity.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: Chennai International Airport (MAA)

Book into MAA and allow 45–60 minutes for the drive to Nandambakkam. Show-week hotel demand is moderate; reserve a cancellable rate early.

Book flights

Visa

Most foreign visitors need an Indian e-Business visa or a business visa before travel; Indian nationals do not.

Estimated cost: USD 80

Processing: 3–5 business days

Apply at least two weeks ahead and carry a printed visa copy plus the show pass.

Official Partner

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: MAA to Chennai Trade Centre is about 12 km and 25–40 minutes by cab; allow 60 minutes in peak traffic.

Hotel → venue: Most Guindy and Nandanam hotels are 10–20 minutes by cab; T. Nagar is 20–30 minutes.

Ride-hail: Ola and Uber are widely available; use the app pickup zone at MAA and expect INR 350–650 to Nandambakkam.

Public transit: Chennai Metro connects the airport to Guindy; complete the last 4 km by auto or cab. Suburban trains serve nearby stations but are crowded at peak hours.

Parking: On-site parking at Chennai Trade Centre is available; charges may apply by duration.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: July

Temperature: 26–35°C

Seasonality: Warm and humid with occasional pre-monsoon and southwest monsoon showers; rain is usually short but intense.

Packing: Light cotton clothing, an umbrella, comfortable shoes and a spare shirt for outdoor transfers.

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Day 1 – Thursday 8 July 2027

Day one carries the inauguration and the strongest exhibitor attendance, so buyers get the fullest choice of technical staff and machinery demonstrations before fatigue and departures set in on day two.

T-14

Register for a visitor pass and book flights into MAA — Use the official visitor registration page; save the confirmation.

T-10

Shortlist exhibitors by product category and request meetings — Prioritise machinery, packaging and lab suppliers relevant to your plant.

T-7

Book a cancellable hotel in Guindy or Nandanam — Check the drive time to Nandambakkam before confirming.

T-3

Download the show pass, ID and business cards — Children are not admitted; carry a government photo ID.

T-1

Plan the floor route and conference sessions — Leave buffer for Chennai traffic and register early on day one.

Sample visitor itinerary

Route-optimised day