Data shows slowdown in the domestic pharma market

MUMBAI: The growth numbers of the domestic pharma industry for the month of December are out painting a grim picture of slowdown. According to the latest data released by AIOCD AWACS, December 2012 has been the month with one of the lowest growth rates in a long period of time, if one were to ignore the low growth of November to Diwali effect.

Year 2012 started with a bang with January to March quarter growth at 18.7% and ended on a whimper with October to December quarter at 9.1%. The trend in growth for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 (18.7%, 16.9%, 13.5% and 9.1% respectively) is pointing to a slow-down, although it does not seem as drastic as the December quarter suggests.

AIOCD AWACS report cites the following to be the reasons for the slowdown. Generics acquiring bigger share, slowdown in new patient detection in chronic therapies as well as subdued seasonal anti-infective market due to lower respiratory infections compared to prior period. The anti-infectives segment, the largest in size, grew 11.7% followed by cardiac (17.4%), gastro-intestinal (15.5%). The growth of the anti-infectives has been slower than the total market growth of 14.3%.

Amongst the top 25 companies for the year ended 2012 showing high growth are Macleods (28%), Mankind (26%), Glenmark (25%), USV (23%) and Sun Pharma (22%).