This study aims to analyze the impact mechanism of new quality productive forces on the resilience of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry chain, and promote the high-quality development of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Based on panel data from 31 provinces from 2018 to 2023, the study constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for new quality productive forces and industry chain resilience while conducting empirical research using multiple econometric models. Baseline regression results indicate that new quality productive forces have a significantly positive effect on enhancing the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry chain resilience. Mediation analyses show that new quality productive forces indirectly enhance the industry chain resilience by facilitating industrial structural upgrading. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that compared with the western and eastern regions, the central region demonstrates a more pronounced effect of new quality productive forces in promoting the resilience of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry chain. The threshold regression model verifies the presence of a single threshold effect of new quality productive forces on the resilience of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry chain. Based on the empirical research results, the study recommends strengthening innovation-driven technological development, promoting industrial structure optimization and upgrading, implementing tailored regional development strategies, and optimizing threshold-crossing paths, thereby enhancing the overall resilience level of China's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry chain.