According to market research firm Pharmarack, the respiratory segment is valued at ₹16,413 crore, growing at a compound annual rate of 12%. The anti-asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) products have grown from ₹6,094 crore MAT (moving annual turnover) value in October 2021 to ₹9,960 crore in October 2024. Likewise, the cough and cold market has grown from ₹2,926 crore MAT value to ₹4,129 crore during the same period.
“The respiratory market shows the normal seasonal trend for the anti-asthma and cough and cold segment,” said Sheetal Sapale, VP, commercial, Pharmarack. “There were fewer reported cases in October 2024 compared to October 2023, hence there is de-growth in the market. The market peaks in December and January and then gradually subsides as winter loses its intensity,” Sapale said.
The poor air quality and severe cold conditions are making the situation apt for illness. Doctors say even after patients recover from the acute phase, the cough will persist for a couple of days to weeks.
Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director, Max Healthcare and senior director, Institute of Internal Medicine, said elderly patients, patients with comorbidities, people who have underlying lung problem like asthma, COPD, bronchitis, patients with heart disease, even younger people with history of asthma, younger children, people who have allergic tendencies and more so even normal people with no known, chronic medical conditions are now coming with irritative symptoms; tightness in chest, eye pain, eye allergies, dry eyes, watery eyes and itching. All these are direct consequences of the air pollution,” he said.
Abhishek Chopra, consultant neonatologist and pediatrician, Cloudnine group of hospitals, New Delhi, said he has been seeing 2-5% rise in respiratory complaints, with higher cases of coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
“Constant exposure to polluted air during peak pollution days, such as post-Diwali, may result in stunted lung growth, impacting lung capacity and leading to chronic respiratory problems later in life. Post-Diwali period often sees a surge in allergic reactions due to lingering pollutants, which can trigger skin and respiratory allergies in children, making them more sensitive to even lower levels of allergens,” he said.
Anurag Agrawal, dean of biosciences and health research at Ashoka University, said those with asthma, COPD, cardio and respiratory illness would benefit from using masks outdoors and air purifiers indoors.
