According to market research firm Pharmatrack, the respiratory market was driven by anti-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) products, along with cough and cold preparations. The market also witnessed close to 200% growth for Poractant Alfa usage (pulmonary surfactant) in July.
Likewise, the entire anti-infective segment, encompassing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-TB products, witnessed robust double-digit growth, potentially fuelled by the surge in respiratory infections, waterborne diseases, and skin infections.
According to the data, anti-malaria saw the highest growth of 13.9% in July, followed by anti-infective medicines, which saw growth of 12.8% and 10.5% growth was seen in respiratory drugs.
Sheetal Sapale, VP commercial, Pharmarack. said four key therapies – including the cardiac, anti-infectives, gastro and respiratory segments – have driven the growth of the market by showing “excellent” value growth.
“Growth has slowed down in many therapies in July, but the core therapies have not degrown. The therapies with seasonal diseases are growing double-digit. They have pulled up the growth of the market as they have made significant contributions to Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM),” she added. “As monsoon sets in, the anti-infective therapy and the respiratory therapies have the advantage of the seasonal disease pattern, which has led to increase in demand of the molecules in this category,” Sapale said. In the gastro category, oral electrolytes have shown a sizable growth at the overall level. Majority of the growth is contributed by the existing brands. “Of course, since it is the rainy season, monsoon and summer are the seasons for the oral electrolytes, many players also venture into this market. So, antacids, probiotics, drugs for hepatobiliary disorders, digestive enzymes, electrolytes, antipatterns and drugs for irritable bowel syndrome are the ones which are strong in either volume growth or new introduction growth,” she further said.
