Shares of eight pharmaceutical companies rose by 0.5% to 3.4% after the cabinet approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals segment.Hikal (up 3.46%), Neuland Laboratories (up 3.08%), IPCA Laboratories (up 2.85%), Alkem Laboratories (up 1.43%), Torrent Pharmaceutical (up 1.09%), Biocon (up 0.6%), Cadila Healthcare (up 0.58%) and Aurobindo Pharma (up 0.52%) were top gainers in pharmaceutical space. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals over a period of Financial Year 2020-21 to 2028-29. The scheme will benefit domestic manufacturers, help in creating employment and is expected to contribute to the availability of wider range of affordable medicines for consumers. The scheme is also expected to bring in investment of Rs 15,000 crore in the pharmaceutical sector.