Indian pharmaceutical companies likely to cash in on US drug shortages

US drug shortages hit a decade-high of 323 across 22 therapies in the March quarter of 2024

Even as US drug shortages hit a decade-high of 323 drugs across 22 therapies in the January-March quarter of calendar year 2024 (CY24), analysts feel this presents an opportunity for Indian pharmaceutical (pharma) exporters.

US active drug shortages have further increased, after stabilising at 300-310 drugs in calendar year 2023, to 323 drugs in the first quarter (Q1) of CY24, according to American Society of Health-System Pharmacists data, said IIFL Securities. 

While analysts were not able to give market size estimates of these 323 drugs spread across categories like anti-infectives, hormones, oncology, etc., overall exports to the US have