The month-on-month growth for Electral stood at 28%, with sales of Rs 72 crore in the domestic pharma retail market.The growth catapulted the brand to move up from 20th slot in March to fourth rank in April.
Among therapies, cardiac, gastroenterology and dermatology managed to shake off the sluggishness in the domestic pharma retail market, sources told TOI. The market valued over Rs 19,500 crore in April, bounced back with a 9% growth year-on-year. Poor sales of respiratory and anti-infectives had pulled down the market in March to a flat growth, with reduction in winter chill.
Other growth drivers for the month include gastroenterology medicines, Pan and Pan D, which increased by 19% and 17% respectively, liver therapies, Liv-52 by 17%, and Udiliv 28%.
Antidiabetic therapy Mixtard topped the list, netting sales of Rs 75 crore during April, followed by respiratory medication Foracort (Rs 74 crore) and antidiabetic pill Glycomet-GP (Rs 73 crore). Among the players, Sun Pharma, Mankind, Torrent and Intas registered a strong growth month-on-month. Mumbai-based Sun Pharma maintained the top position in the market with market share of 8%.
Further, during the month, acute therapy – mainly painkillers and anti-infectives – has shown a growth of 6%. As against this, chronic medication – prescribed for long-term ailments – has grown more than double at 13%. For past six months, chronic has outperformed acute therapy.
The month proved to be healthy for both MNCs and domestic companies, with both posting growth of 8% each. On a MAT (moving annual total) basis, the pharma retail market grew over 7% at Rs 2.2 lakh crore.
Meanwhile, EBITDA margins of companies are expected to improve from FY25, driven by cost rationalisation and benefits of operating leverage on account of higher volumes. Those with a significant presence in the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) segment are likely to see revenue growth of 10%-11% y-o-y with operating margins of 17-20% through FY25-26, India Ratings and Research said in a note.
