The Indian pharmaceutical market (IPM) grew at 8.7 percent in August, much slower than in July due to lacklustre sales of anti-infective drugs. In July the industry grew at the fastest past of 12.7 percent. IPM grew close to 10 percent in first five months of this financial year FY19. In FY18, the growth dropped to 6.1 percent in the run-up to GST and its subsequent implementation. The acute segment led by anti-infectives grew at 4 percent in August, dermatology grew 10.2 percent while respiratory segment showed single-digit growth of 5.8 percent. Gastro-Intestinal grew 10.3 percent while vitamins grew 9 percent. Chronic therapies like anti-diabetes rose 14 percent, Cardio 12.5 percent and Central Nervous System (CNS) at 8.9 percent.

(Money Control)