** Indian pharma stocks .NIPHARM up 2.8% so far this week, set for their best weekly gain since May, if gains hold

** Stocks gain after media reports that the US FDA has reached out to Indian drugmakers for a critical cancer drug ifosfamide, which is in short supply due to manufacturing disruptions in the U.S.

** Sixteen of 20 stocks in sub-index record weekly gains, with Cipla CIPL.NS and Dr Reddy's REDY.NS up 7% each

** If current momentum holds, CIPL set for best week since July 2023 and REDY on track for best week since May

** YTD, pharma stocks jump 10.5% vs Nifty 50's .NSEI 7.5% drop