From Sun Pharma to Biocon, US to remain a challenge for Indian drug firms

Indian firms with specialty product portfolios will do better than peers

There are signs that pricing pressures for Indian pharmaceutical majors in the US market is easing a bit. But, while the worst seems to be over, growth could continue to be a challenge.

One of the reasons for this is the rate of approvals for abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA), which has been quite high for the past few months. Analysts at IIFL said at the current rate, ANDA approvals in 2018-19 (FY19) would be 38 per cent more than in 2017-18 (FY18).

This means competition in a larger basket will be high.  

Analysts expect the US Food and