Pharma companies in India and abroad are aggressively working to develop new molecules for treatment epilepsy. Globally, neuropsychiatry category is known to be the second fastest growing segment after cardiovascular-diabetic drugs. Out of the ten top brands in the world, three include two leading anti depressants and one anti epileptic drug.
While drugs like Gardinal and Phenytoin are well tested and preferred for its affordability, neurologists are looking at newer molecules for faster treatment and better patient compliance, according to specialists at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.
Among the latest drugs, are Topamax the leading epilepsy drug of 2005 with sales of US$1.7 billion. Other blockbuster epilepsy drugs include the second generation anti-convulsant, Lamictal, Depakote( traditional anti-convulsant), Carbamazepine(, sodium valporate(anti convulsant), Primodone (antiepileptic), Clonazapam (reduces neuron excitability) and Gabapentin (valuable adjunct to other anti epileptic drugs) and Carbidopa(extra cerebral inhibitor) to name few.
The global market for Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs is estimated at US $55.5 billion with a growth of 7 per cent annually. From 2003 to 2005, global CNS sales increased by 19 per cent and accounted for 9.2 per cent of total global pharmaceutical sales in 2005. Annual global CNS sales growth slowed from 11.5 per cent in 2004 to 6.6 per cent in 2005 as a result of generic competition for leading anti-depressant and epilepsy therapies, according to VR Kannan, pharma consultant. In India, the market for neuropsychiatry and central nervous system drugs is valued at Rs 1,500 crore with a growth rate of 20 per cent which is much higher than the overall growth of the pharmaceutical sector. The neuro psychiatry segment covers drugs for psychiatry, depression and epilepsy. The anti epileptic drugs constitute Rs 400 crore.
The epilepsy drugs come under the CNS category and leading players in India and internationally include Sun Pharma, Torrent, Abbott, Novartis, Nicholas Piramal, Intas, Ranbaxy, Unichem, Cipla, Micro Labs, Lundbeck, Torrent, Anglo French, Marc Labs, Mano Pharma, Novartis, LenBrook Pharma, RKG Pharma, Merind, and Zydus Neurosciences. The companies are positive about the growth which could be uninterrupted because of the therapy gaps largely attributed to the faulty genes in patients who suffer from epilepsy.
In India, the prevalence of epilepsy is 1 per 100 in a population. At least 5-10 per 1,000 people can have a seizure in their lifetime. Both women and men are equally vulnerable, only the causes could be different.