Indian Pharmaceutical Industry
- November 30, -0001
Introduction
India's pharmaceutical sector is expected to touch US$ 74 billion in sales by 2020 from the current US$ 11 billion, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report.
The Indian pharmaceutical market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14-17 per cent over 2012-16. India is now among the top five pharmaceutical emerging markets.
The outlook on the Indian pharmaceutical industry remains favourable, according to a report by ICRA and Moody's. Domestic formulation market stood at Rs 58,300 crore (US$ 10.88 billion) and has been ranked third in terms of volume and tenth in terms of value, globally.
Sector Structure/ Market Size
On back of increasing sales of generic medicines, continued growth in chronic therapies and a greater penetration in rural markets, the domestic pharmaceutical market is expected to register a strong double-digit growth of 13-14 per cent in 2013. The year 2012 closed with a growth of 12 per cent, according to data from research firm IMS Health.
The cumulative drugs and pharmaceuticals sector attracted foreign direct investments (FDI) worth US$ 9,776 million between April 2000 to November 2012, according to the latest data published by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
Recruitment in India during 2013 is expected to be driven by the information technology (IT) and pharmaceutical/ life sciences sectors, according to executive job search and career portal, HeadHonchos.com.
Exports
India's exports of drugs, pharmaceutical and fine chemicals grew by 27 per cent to Rs 60,000 crore (US$ 11.19 billion) for the year ended March 2012, according to data compiled by Pharmaceutical Exports Council of India (Pharmexcil).
The Ministry of Commerce has proposed an ambitious Strategy Plan to double pharmaceutical exports from US$ 10.4 billion in 2009-10 to US$ 25 billion by 2013-14. The Government has also planned a 'Pharma India' brand promotion action plan spanning over a three-year period to give an impetus to generic exports.
Gujarat-based small and medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturers are focussing on export markets, especially to emerging economies such as African and Latin American nations. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Gujarat exported pharma products worth Rs 400-Rs 500 crore (US$ 74.63-US$ 93.28 million) in 2011-12. Of the net exports by SMEs, the share of emerging markets is 50-60 per cent, and it is rising yearly by 30-35 per cent, as per an Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) official.
Growth
India will see the largest number of merger and acquisitions (M&As) in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, according to consulting firm Grant Thornton. A survey conducted across 100 companies has revealed that one- fourth of the respondents were optimistic about acquisitions in the pharmaceutical sector.
The Indian pharmaceutical market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.3 per cent during 2011-12 to 2013-14, according to a Barclays Capital Equity Research report on India Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals.
Generics
Generics will continue to dominate the market while patent-protected products are likely to constitute 10 per cent of the pie till 2015, according to McKinsey report 'India Pharma 2015 - Unlocking the potential of Indian Pharmaceuticals market'.
Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd has launched Finasteride tablets, a bio-equivalent generic version of Propecia (Finasteride) tablets, in the US market. The tablets are used for treating male pattern hair loss.
Diagnostics Outsourcing/ Clinical Trials
"The Indian healthcare devices market is part of our focus on emerging markets. The Hyderabad centre will enable us to improve product time to market and create valued-innovation," highlighted Mr Robert Frechette, Vice-President (Engineering Services), Covidien. The value of the Indian medical devices market is estimated at US$ 4 billion, and is clocking a growth rate of 15 per cent annually, added Mr Frechette.
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals S A (GPSA) has entered into an agreement with Forest Laboratories, Inc, to collaborate on the development of inhibitors to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, including pain. Under the terms of the agreement, latter is to make a US$ 6 million upfront payment to Glenmark and provide an additional US$ 3 million to support the next phase of work
- Contract research firm GVK Biosciences and the US-based Onconova Therapeutics have entered into a novel joint partnership to develop new drugs for cancer
- Wockhardt has received US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approval to launch 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg extended release tablets of Lamotrigine in the US. The drug is used for the treatment of epilepsy
Investments
- Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Procter & Gamble (P&G) plans to set up world's largest over-the-counter (OTC) medicine facility at Sanand, Gujarat
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Hyderabad-based Biological E Ltd have teamed up for early stage research and development (R&D) of a six-in-one combination pediatric vaccine against polio and other infectious diseases
- Claris Lifesciences Ltd has entered into joint venture (JV) agreement with two Japan-based drug makers Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Mitsui & Co Ltd for its injectable business in India and other emerging markets
- Nipro Corporation has set up India's first dialyser manufacturing facility at Shirwal near Pune, with an investment of Rs 700 crore (US$ 130.60 million)
- Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market various medicines namely Oxacillin injections and Rizatriptan Benzoate tablets in the US, besides Nafcillin and Ondansetron injection
- Eli Lilly and Strides Arcolab have inked a pact to increase delivery of cancer medicines in emerging markets. Agila Specialties, the specialties division of Strides Arcolab, will make cancer medicines and Eli Lilly will market them in emerging geographies
Government Initiatives
The Union Budget for 2012-13 was announced by Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the Union Finance Minister. Highlights of Union Budget 2012-13:
- It is proposed to extend concessional basic customs duty of 5 per cent with full exemption from excise duty/CVD to six specified life-saving drugs/ vaccines. These are used for the treatment or prevention of ailments such as HIV-AIDS, renal cancer, etc
- Probiotics are a cost-effective means of combating bacterial infections. It is proposed to reduce the basic customs duty on this item from 10 per cent to 5 per cent
- Basic customs duty and excise duty reduced on Soya products to address protein deficiency among women and children. Basic customs duty and excise duty reduced on Iodine
Marking a new trend of investments from foreign players in the Indian pharma sector, the need for overseas investors to get a no-objection from their JV partner before venturing out on their own or roping in another local firm has been removed by the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil). It is expected that this measure will promote the competitiveness of India as an investment destination and be instrumental in attracting higher levels of FDI and technology inflows into the country.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has prepared a 'Pharma Vision 2020' document for making India one of the leading destinations for end-to-end drug discovery and innovation and for that purpose, the department provides requisite support by way of world class infrastructure, internationally competitive scientific manpower for pharma research and development (R&D), venture fund for research in the public and private domain and such other measures.
Road Ahead
The Ramanbhai Foundation 6th International Symposium on 'Advances in New Drug Discovery Technologies & Translational Research' began at Zydus Research Centre. The symposium addressed various aspects related to new drug discovery with a focus on cancer, inflammation, cardio-metabolic and infectious diseases.
Growth of Indian pharma companies will be driven by the fastest growing molecules in the diabetes, skincare and eye care segment, as per a report by research firm, Credit Suisse.
In addition, the pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's Labs and Lupin might soon be part of the government's ambitious 'Jan Aushadhi' project. In an attempt to commercialise the project, the Government is likely to rope in the private sector to bulk-procure generic drugs from them. There are 117 Jan Aushadhi stores across the country and the plan is to expand to at least 600 in the next two years and 3,000 by 2016.
Exchange rate used INR 1= US$ 0.01866 as on February 10, 2013
References: Consolidated FDI Policy, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Press Information Bureau (PIB), Media Reports, McKinsey Report, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council
Partners
