Domestic pharma market grew 16.9% during August

The domestic pharmaceutical market grew 16.9 per cent during August, led by 13.1 per cent growth in acute and 16 per cent within the chronic segment, according to data of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists.

Within the acute segment, anti‐infectives grew by 10.2 per cent during August, as compared to sales of Rs 1,078 crore during the same period in financial year 2010-11. Pain management and respiratory segment grew 8.7 per cent and 7.3 per cent, respectively, while derma and multi‐vitamins growth came‐off to 14‐15 per cent from 17‐18 per cent earlier, the data showed.

Growth in the anti‐malaria segment was strong during the month at 37 per cent. According a report by Edelweiss Securities, it was primarily due to switch to high cost treatment on back of increase in incidence of Falciparum malaria versus traditional Vivax malaria where treatment costs were significantly low.

Within chronic, while demand for anti‐diabetics was strong at 23.4 per cent, growth was relatively lower in cardio vascular segment, which grew by around 15 per cent and central nervous system, which was slightly above 12 per cent.