Indian Pharma Sees 8.4% Growth in Jan 2025, Boosted by Chronic Care

The Indian pharmaceutical market climbed to a year-on-year growth of 8.4% in January 2025, finding its feet with the assistance of chronic therapies. This growth reflects a sustained focus on chronic disease management and has been further augmented through the introduction of new brands and innovative formulations. According to the latest IQVIA MFR, the MAT growth reached 7.7%, indicating a recovery in the industry and rising prospects for chronic and specialty treatments.

Chronic therapies for the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders were all ahead of acute treatments. The 9.9% growth rate of the chronic segment was led by cardiac therapies, which grew by 10.7%, followed by anti-diabetic drugs with a growth rate of 7.9%. The acute therapies grew at a rate of only 6.3%. The parenteral (injectable) therapies have seen phenomenal growth of 35.9%, indicating increased hospital treatment and specialty care.

The aggressive launch of new brands contributed to this growth. About 3,219 new brands were launched over the past year, generating Rs 1,069.6 crore in sales, which constituted 6.5% of overall market growth. Products in the gastrointestinal segment that are Vonoprazan-based reportedly fared well as new product sales, contributing Rs 187 crore against 404 brands.

Sun Pharma, Abbott, and Cipla continued to maintain their stronghold in the market. Sun Pharma was number one with 12.3% growth, led by its portfolio of chronic therapies, followed by Abbott with 11.1% and Cipla with an increase of 6.9%, contributed by the respiratory and anti-infective segments. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories was an important player in new product launches, bringing in Rs 56.5 crore from its 56 new brands.

Urban markets, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, account for 34.1% of IPM sales. With the rise of chronic diseases and changes in the market dynamics due to reforms in regulations, the Indian pharmaceutical industry seems poised to see growth continued through 2025 with specialty drugs leading the way.