Domestic rating agency, ICRA in its latest report on Indian pharmaceutical industry has said that the industry will grow at a slower pace due to sluggish growth in the US market, increased competition leading to price erosion in high single digits and generic adoption reaching saturation levels. It noted that growth from the US has come down to less than 9% in first half of 2016-17 despite consolidation and currency benefits and going forward, the growth momentum is likely to face further pressure, though, there is recovery in domestic growth and consolidation benefits of acquired businesses.
According to the report, aggregate revenues of its sample grew by 9.4% during the Q2 FY2017 as against Q1 FY2017 growth at 8.4%. As per the sample, the domestic market growth in Q2 FY2017 recovered to 14.1% as against Q1 FY2017 growth of 7.0% benefitting from favorable monsoon and relatively lower base. Further, companies witnessed moderate growth from the US market with Q2 FY2017 growth at 10.1% as against 15.1% growth in Q1 FY2017 and 5.2% growth in Q2 FY2016. On overseas markets, the rating agency said the operating environment in emerging markets (EMs) like Latin America, CIS countries and South Africa has been affected by confluence of factors, including devaluation of currency, a frequently evolving regulatory landscape and a weakening macro environment.
ICRA said that increased regulatory scrutiny and consolidation of supply chain in the US market resulting in pricing pressure along with increased R&D expenses will have an impact on profitability of Indian pharmaceutical companies. It added that in spite of these ongoing challenges, several Indian pharma companies are increasing their R&D spend, targeting pipeline of specialty drugs, niche molecules and complex therapies. The rating agency also said that continued regulatory interventions are expected to put some pressure in the near term though long term growth prospects remain healthy, given increasing penetration, accessibility and continued new launches.
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