|
The
Economic Times
Pharma industry posts 13.3%
growth sales 
25
March 2009
New
Delhi: India’s drug retail industry continued its
healthy growth recording 13.3% higher sales in February
over the same month last year. Domestic pharma firm
Cipla continues to hold the top position in sales, as
per data compiled by research firm ORG IMS.
Growth
in February marks the fourth straight month of higher
drug sales in the country after the drug retail market
contracted for the first time in many years by 1.2% in
October 2008. This had surprised industry analysts as
demand for medicines is need-based and considered immune
to economic slowdown which has hit most sectors.
The
top 10 rankings of firms by drug sales in the highly
fragmented domestic retail market remained unchanged
with Cipla on top with 5.55%, followed by Ranbaxy
(4.84%) and GlaxoSmithKline (4.42%). Fourth ranked
Piramal Healthcare (27%) registered the highest monthly
growth among the top 20 companies during the month.
Pfizer’s cough syrup Corex remains the most sold drug in
the country, raking in Rs 14.7 crore for the company in
February. Among drug segments, cardiovascular and
systemic anti-infective segments gained the most with
double-digit growth.
For
the 12-month period ended February, the top order was
the same, with numero uno Cipla (5.31%) followed by
Ranbaxy (5.01%) and GlaxoSmithKline (4.31%). The
trailing 12-month period is considered a better time
horizon to compare the sales performance of companies as
seasonal factors can affect the monthly rankings.
World’s largest drugmaker Pfizer and French major Sanofi
Aventis, who have announced acquisition of global rivals
Wyeth and Schering Plough respectively are also likely
to break into the top 10 companies when they complete
their transactions.
Pfizer
India, is currently ranked 13th with 2.21% market share
while Wyeth holds 0.81% share in India. Similarly,
Sanofi Aventis India (2.25%) will improve from its
current 12th position after it combines its sales with
35th ranked Schering Plough which has market share of
0.79% in India. |
