The Indian pharmaceutical industry has experienced significant growth, evolving from a sales turnover of Rs. 10 crores in 1947 to approximately $5.5 billion in 2004, with an expected CAGR of 23.9% to reach $85 billion by 2020. Key players include Sun Pharma, Cipla, and Dr. Reddy's Labs, which dominate the market and focus on generic drugs, driven by lower production costs and increasing global demand. The industry also integrates traditional medicine practices and faces challenges such as intense competition and price erosion.