India Pharma Sales Drop In August After Month Of Stellar Growth

Domestic pharma sales fell in August after a month of high growth on the back of falling volumes.

Pharma sales grew at 9.4 percent in August compared with 13.2 percent in July, according to AIOCD-AWACS—a pharmaceutical market research firm. Pharma sales had grown in July after two months of decline.

Volumes grew 1.1 percent in August compared with 4.5 percent in July and the rolling average 12-month volume growth of 1.8 percent, the market researcher said, adding overall volume growth isn’t gaining momentum.

Sales growth in the 'National List of Essential Medicines' category was estimated at 12.7 percent, while that of non-NLEM medicines rose 9.1 percent, according to the research firm’s data. That was aided by a 1.1 percent increase in volume, a 5.5 percent price growth and 2.8 percent growth from new introductions.

According to AIOCD-AWACS data, anti-infective therapies grew at 15 percent, respiratory therapies grew 13 percent, gastro-intestinal therapies grew at 8 percent, vitamins and minerals therapies grew at 7.1 percent, analgesics therapies grew at 11.1 percent while dermatological therapies grew at 4.1 percent.

Other Key Highlights

• Pharma firms clocked sales worth Rs 12,236 crore.
• Among the top 50 corporates, 23 grew in double digits.
• Among the top 50 corporates, 46 exhibited positive growth.

Among the Top-10 pharma companies, Alkem Laboratories Ltd. showed highest growth at 20.8 percent followed by Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. at 18.6 percent, Mankind Pharma's 14.5 percent, Lupin Ltd.’s 13 percent and Intas Pharmaceuticals at 12.8 percent. Data shows Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. gained growth momentum in the month while Cipla Ltd., Lupin and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. have slowed. Multinational drugmakers grew by 10.4 percent while their Indian peers grew at 9.1 percent, according to AIOCD-AWACS.