Pharma: Domestic pharmaceutical retail market grows 11 per cent in July

Domestic pharmaceutical retail market reported an incredible growth of 11 per cent in July. This can be called the flu effect. The sales of anti-infectives and pain relief buoyed, indicating an increase in flu and other viral infections, reported TOI.

Antibiotic Augmentin topped the sales with Rs 72 crore and mirrored the disease trend. It also became the most selling brand in the country during the month.

Anti-infectives, pain-relief and gastroenterology medicines showed a strong double-digit growth of 14 per cent, 11 per cent and 15 per cent respectively in July, the latest data culled from IQVIA said. The market posted a MAT (moving annual total) growth of 8 per cent in July.

There are high incidents of flu and viral infections and vector-borne ailments during June and July owing to rains in most parts of the country resulting in the huge increase in sales.

Anti-infectives include antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals, mostly prescribed for battling bacterial and viral infections. Overall, the pharma retail market valued at around Rs 2,22,906 crore grew by 7 per cent – in June. Augmentin, a legacy brand of GSK Pharma, gained four ranks to reach the first slot. In July 2023, it was ranked no. 2 with sales of Rs 70 crore.

The company said that its key brands – Calpol, Augmentin and T-Bact, delivered a strong growth of 10 per cent in the latest results for the quarter ending on June 30. Augmentin, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, outpaced its respective category and gained market share even though it is under price control, according to the company.

Among the top 10 brands, Liv-52 showed the highest growth, followed by Udiliv and Pan-D.

Acute therapy, including pain and anti-infectives reported a growth of 11 per cent, while chronic medication, mainly anti-diabetics and cardio-vascular, grew 12 per cent. Among the companies, Sun Pharma maintained its top position with a market share of 8 per cent during July, the data said.

Indian companies registered a growth of 11.4 per cent, while MNCs grew 10.2 per cent for the month.

Analysts expect the domestic market to grow at a faster pace of 10 per cent, driven by seasonality-led good demand for acute therapies, mainly anti-infectives and respiratory products. The average market growth is around 8-9 per cent.