Anti-infectives is the largest segment in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The anti-infectives segment is a mature segment with a high level of competition, especially in antibiotics, which is the largest sub-segment in this group.

Penicillins

The overall size of the domestic formulations market (retail segment) for Penicillin-G based products (which includes various molecules such as ampicillin and amoxycillin) is estimated at Rs. 6.8 billion, contracting at the rate of 3-4 per cent very year (figures as of in CY2001). The growth rate for pure Penicillin-G based products is around a negative 2 per cent annually.

Sulphonamides

Therapeutic Application: Sulphonamides (commonly known as sulpha drugs) are used in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bacterial diarrhoea. The basic molecule of this product is derived from para-amino-sulphonamide. The size of the domestic market for sulpha drugs (in combination with Trimethoprim) based formulations was estimated at Rs. 1 billion in CY2001, and has been shrinking in size. Most of the products in this sub-group are off patent and under the purview of the DPCO. Sulpha drugs used in combination with Trimethoprim are still relatively popular products.

Cephalosporins

The size of the domestic retail formulations market for cephalosporins is estimated at Rs. 8.5 billion, currently growing at 9-12 per cent annually. Within the group of cephalosporins, the growth rate and market size of molecules differ in accordance with the therapeutic application and effectiveness, which in turn, depends on the age profile of the molecule, among other factors. The first-generation molecules (cephalexin and cephadroxyl, among others) have the largest share and account for around 45 per cent of the market, although most of them are currently witnessing de-growth. The third-generation molecules (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefixime among others) have increasingly become popular, accounting for about 42 per cent of the market for cephalosporins and reporting high growth rates ranging from 22 per cent to 50 per cent. The second-generation molecules (cefuroxime) are also witnessing high growth rates (from 16per cent to 33 per cent) but have a smaller market size (accounting for about 12 per cent of the cephalosporin market).

Macrolides

Macrolides have a specific macrocyclic lactone ring in their molecule. These products are most effective against gram positive bacteria, which cause infections in the skin and the respiratory tract (such as pneumonia).

Aminoglycosides

These are the amino-attached versions of antibiotics, which are effective in gram negative bacterial infections in the genito-urinary tract, abdomen and intestines, bronchioles and lungs, and the skin. Besides, they are used in combination drugs for the treatment of certain other infections like tuberculosis. Aminoglycosides are relatively older-generation molecules, but their use is still high because of specific product applications. One of the popular drugs in this segment is streptomycin. The size of the domestic formulations market in the retail segment for aminoglycosides is estimated at Rs. 1.13 billion, and the market is currently growing at the rate of 6-8 per cent annually. These drugs are available at lower prices in the international markets (thus, imports continue).

Quinolones & Fluoroquinolones

Although the size of the domestic formulations market for quinolones is estimated at Rs. 6 billion, the growth rate for this category has declined in recent times. Currently, the quinolones market is growing at the rate of 6-7 per cent per annum.

Anti-Protozoa Treatments

As protozoal infections are more common in developing countries and are relatively rare in the developed world, this segment is not a focus area for international research and development (R&D) effort.

Anti-Fungal Treatments

Some of the popular anti-fungal bulk drugs are clotrimazole, fluconazole, fetoconozole, miconazole nitrate, and tolnaftate. The size of the domestic market for formulations (retail segment) in this therapeutic segment is estimated at Rs. 1.4 billion, growing at the rate of 5-6 per cent per annum.

Anti-Helmintic Group

The size of the domestic market for formulations in this sub-segment (retail segment) is estimated at Rs. 725 million, growing at the rate of 4-5 per cent annually. Products based on Albendazole account for a significant proportion of the domestic formulations retail market for anti-helmintics.

Anti-Malarial Malaria is caused by different strains of protozoa called Plasmodium. This microbe is spread by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. The size of the domestic retail market for anti-malarial formulations is estimated at Rs. 882 million, witnessing a negative growth rate.

Anti-Tuberculosis

The size of the anti-tuberculosis formulations market (retail segment) in India is estimated at Rs. 3.5 billion, growing at the rate of 5-6 per cent annually. Sales of most formulations based on single bulk drugs are declining in the domestic market. Anti-tuberculosis formulations, which are combinations of various bulk drugs, dominate the market.

— Source: ICRA