Pharma firms ride high on strong sales

The Indian pharmaceutical market grew 18.9 per cent from a year earlier in February 2015, clocking Rs 7,194 crore in total revenues. Increase in sales volumes contributed 10.1 per cent to the total growth, while price hikes accounted for 5.6 per cent and new drug launches 3.2 per cent.

A recent report by pharmaceutical market research organization, AIOCD AWACS, also says that the price increase (5.6 per cent) was the highest in the last 19 months.

"Whether the sudden increase can be attributable to the external environment, especially due to the H1N1 (swine flu) situation needs to be evaluated," the report adds.

According to the report, Cipla grew by 24 per cent followed by Lupin at 23.2 per cent and Pfizer at 22.6 per cent.

The respiratory market in India grew by 25.4 per cent, gastrointestinal market grew 19.1 per cent, pain and analgesics market grew 15.7 per cent, anti-infectives grew by 19.6 per cent, anti-diabetic market grew at 32.7 per cent and cardiac by 16.6 per cent, compared to the corresponding period of last year.  The report adds that the derma market witnessed growth of 18.0 per cent and urology clocked 26.7 per cent increase.