The value growth in Indian pharma retail market has decreased in the month of July to 8.9 per cent, as compared to a growth of 18.3 per cent in the pervious month, owing to the monsoon shortfall in most parts of the country, according to the monthly Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM) report of ORG IMS.

As per the secondary sales audit report of the market surveillance firm, the slight dip in value growth appears to be the likely cause for the downfall, with categories like infectives, cough and cold preparations, anti-diarrhoeals, anti-asthmatics, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatics posting low to declining growths. Normally, the market for these products shows a seasonal spurt in the month of July. The sale of pharma products is reported at Rs 3,456.41 crore in the month of July, this year.

"After growing at a blistering 18.3 per cent in the previous month (Jun'09), the pharmaceutical retail market was relatively subdued in July 09, posting a modest growth of 8.9 per cent. On an overall basis, the market remains in line with previous year's trend," says the report.

The study also reveals some significant change among the top 25 companies in the month of July 2009, when compared to the same period in pervious year. This year, Alembic Ltd has gained two ranks and has moved up to rank 18, even as Novartis India Ltd and Macleod's Pharma have gained one rank each and have moved up to rank 21 and 22 respectively.

However, the top five companies - Cipla Ltd, Ranbaxy Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline Pharma, Piramal Healthcare and Sun Pharmaceuticals - continues to hold their position intact. Mankind Pharmaceuticals has jumped one rank up to secure the eighth position in the top 10 companies.

Among the top marketed products, Novartis' painkiller Voveran maintains its top position in July '09 too as compared to the performance of the previous month.

ORG IMS reflections captured some major movers and shakers when it came to top 10 products. In the month of July'09, Voveran has maintained its top position as compared to the month Jun'09. Zifi, the antibacterial medicine from FDC Limited, has leaped five ranks and moved up to rank eight in July. Revital, the dietary food supplement from Ranbaxy Lab has gained two ranks and moved up to rank seven, whereas the antibiotic drugs - Taxim from Alkem Lab and Augmentin from GSK - have gained one rank each and moved up to rank six and nine respectively.

Other top gainers include, Azithral leaped five ranks and moved up to rank 17, Calpol and Storvas leaped three ranks and Aciloc jumped up six ranks to 14, 18 and 22 respectively. Sporidex has gained five ranks and moved up to rank 25, details the report.