Indian Pharma Market Expands 8.4% in January, Dapagliflozin, Vonoprazan Among Top-Selling Drugs: IQVIA

According to the latest IQVIA Market Feedback Report (MFR) for January 2025, the Moving Annual Total (MAT) growth stood at 7.7%, showing a slight increase from the previous month. This steady momentum underscores the resilience of the Indian pharma industry, where chronic and specialty treatments are gaining dominance over traditional acute therapies​

Chronic Therapies Dominate as Acute Growth Slows

One of the most notable trends this month was the continued dominance of chronic therapies over acute treatments. Drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders experienced higher prescription rates, reinforcing the growing focus on long-term healthcare management.

The chronic segment grew by 9.9%, with cardiac therapies leading the way at 10.7%, followed by anti-diabetic drugs at 7.9%. In contrast, acute therapies, which include anti-infectives and pain management drugs, grew at a slower rate of 6.3%, reflecting a decline in demand for short-term treatments. Additionally, parenteral (injectable) therapies saw an exceptional surge of 35.9%, indicating rising hospital-based treatments and specialty care needs​

New Brand Launches Fuel Market Expansion

A defining factor in January’s growth was the aggressive launch of new brands, which significantly contributed to market expansion. Over the past 12 months, 3,219 new brands entered the IPM, collectively generating Rs 1,069.6 crore in sales. These new products accounted for 6.5% of total market growth, emphasizing the increasing role of innovation and market diversification in driving industry performance.

Among these new launches, Vonoprazan-based formulations in the gastrointestinal (GI) segment emerged as the best-selling new drugs, accumulating Rs187 crore in sales from 404 brands. Additionally, newer diabetes medications, particularly Dapagliflozin and Empagliflozin combinations, gained significant market traction. The success of these brands signals a growing preference for innovative chronic care treatments among prescribers and patients​

Pharma Leaders: Who’s Driving Market Growth?

The January report also highlighted the continued dominance of top pharmaceutical companies, with Sun Pharma, Abbott, and Cipla leading the market. Sun Pharma retained its number one position, recording 12.3% growth, driven by its strong chronic therapy portfolio. Abbott followed closely, achieving 11.1% growth, primarily due to its pediatric and women's health therapies. Cipla also maintained steady momentum, expanding by 6.9%, with notable contributions from respiratory and anti-infective segments.

A key player in new brand sales was Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, which generated Rs 56.5 crore from 56 new brands, making it one of the most aggressive pharma companies in product innovation. The industry’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, with companies focusing on high-growth segments and specialty therapies​

Regional Market Performance and Emerging Trends

Geographically, the top 30 metro cities contributed 34.1% of IPM sales, highlighting strong urban demand for chronic and specialty medications. Among these cities, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore led the market, showcasing the highest prescription growth.

Regional trends also showed the western states, particularly Maharashtra and Gujarat, experiencing the strongest market expansion. This growth was largely driven by cardiology and diabetes drugs, along with increased hospital-based prescriptions. Meanwhile, southern and eastern states displayed stable performance, with notable demand for injectable and critical-care therapies​

Looking Ahead: Pharma Market Trends for 2025

As chronic diseases continue to rise and patient adherence improves, the Indian pharma market is expected to maintain steady growth in the coming months. The focus on specialty drugs, biosimilars, and precision medicine is likely to reshape prescription patterns and revenue streams.

Additionally, regulatory reforms, competitive pricing, and digital health solutions are expected to influence market dynamics. With newer brands capturing a growing share of sales and chronic therapies continuing to expand, the Indian pharma industry is well-positioned for sustained growth throughout 2025.

January 2025 reaffirmed the Indian pharmaceutical market’s resilience and evolving structure, with chronic therapies solidifying their dominance, new brands driving expansion, and leading companies intensifying their market presence.

With increasing innovation in drug formulations and a shift in prescription trends, the industry is expected to continue growing despite economic fluctuations and policy challenges. The coming months will determine how new product innovations, changing patient behaviors, and competitive strategies shape the future of the pharma market in India.