Ahmedabad: While drug sales declined for most therapies, sales of medicines for respiratory problems have grown by 7% growth in Gujarat.
According to Pharmarack AWACS, respiratory medicines worth Rs 40.8 crore were retailed in the state this April, higher than in last April. For three months, sales of respiratory medicines have been rising consistently, due to higher numbers of flu and Covid-19 cases.
Across India, the Indian pharma market — for therapies such as cardiovascular, diabetes, anti-infectives, analgesics, gynaecology, antineoplastics, stomatologicals, sex stimulants and dermatology — have fallen by 5.7%. Gujarat grew by 1% in April, mainly driven by medicines for respiratory illnesses.
Medical practitioners and pharmacists attribute the growth to a spike in cases of viral infections including the flu, which led to a rise in the sale of the medicines for respiratory therapies.
Dr Tushar Patel, a city-based pulmonologist, said, “The rainy weather in March and April triggered an increase in respiratory illnesses. During unseasonal weather, we normally see a spike in cases of allergies, upper respiratory infection and respiratory irritation.
This is particularly true for vulnerable groups including the elderly and children or those prone to allergies triggered by changes in temperature or those already on medication for respiratory illness.”
“Summer is typically not the season for respiratory illnesses. However, the major temperature changes witnessed this year was the key reason for the spike,” Dr Patel said. In February and March, there was also a spike in Covid-19 cases and H3N2 infections.
Pharmacists also attributed the increase in sales to the changed weather. “The changed weather has led to a spike in infections and many people self-medicate indiscriminately in such cases. In our monthly bills, we always see our regular customers ordering cold and flu medicines,” said an Ahmedabad-based chemist.
According to Pharmarack AWACS, respiratory medicines worth Rs 40.8 crore were retailed in the state this April, higher than in last April. For three months, sales of respiratory medicines have been rising consistently, due to higher numbers of flu and Covid-19 cases.
Across India, the Indian pharma market — for therapies such as cardiovascular, diabetes, anti-infectives, analgesics, gynaecology, antineoplastics, stomatologicals, sex stimulants and dermatology — have fallen by 5.7%. Gujarat grew by 1% in April, mainly driven by medicines for respiratory illnesses.
Medical practitioners and pharmacists attribute the growth to a spike in cases of viral infections including the flu, which led to a rise in the sale of the medicines for respiratory therapies.
Dr Tushar Patel, a city-based pulmonologist, said, “The rainy weather in March and April triggered an increase in respiratory illnesses. During unseasonal weather, we normally see a spike in cases of allergies, upper respiratory infection and respiratory irritation.
This is particularly true for vulnerable groups including the elderly and children or those prone to allergies triggered by changes in temperature or those already on medication for respiratory illness.”
“Summer is typically not the season for respiratory illnesses. However, the major temperature changes witnessed this year was the key reason for the spike,” Dr Patel said. In February and March, there was also a spike in Covid-19 cases and H3N2 infections.
Pharmacists also attributed the increase in sales to the changed weather. “The changed weather has led to a spike in infections and many people self-medicate indiscriminately in such cases. In our monthly bills, we always see our regular customers ordering cold and flu medicines,” said an Ahmedabad-based chemist.