Over the past decade, the demand for Drug companies in India has significantly increased, reflecting the country’s evolving healthcare industry. In fact, a report by Statista indicates that the Indian healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector is anticipated to experience an extraordinary growth rate of 754% between 2017 and 2060.
As India emerges as a major player in the pharmaceutical industry, it is critical to understand the demand for various drugs in the country. It provides valuable insights into the health concerns of the people, the shifting demographics, and the evolving medical requirements.
So, read the article below to gain in-depth knowledge about high-demand drugs in India and the factors influencing this demand. This knowledge can help drug companies to focus their R&D and production to cater to the specific needs of the Indian market.
Top 8 Demand Drugs in India
Some of the best drugs in India and their uses are given below:
1. Humira
Humira (adalimumab) is a widely used biological medication known for its effectiveness in treating various conditions. It functions as a tumor necrosis blocker, which helps suppress the immune system by blocking the activity of factor-α (TNF). TNF is a protein associated with inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
Uses
- Treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
- Indicated for adults with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
- Tackles chronic plaque psoriasis.
- Treats non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis.
- Approved for adult patients with active ulcerative colitis.
- Used to reduce signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis.
2. Keytruda
Keytruda is a cancer medication that contains the active substance pembrolizumab. It belongs to a class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Keytruda blocks a protein called PD-1 in immune cells. This allows the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Uses
- Treats advanced or metastatic melanoma.
- Treats advanced NSCLC.
- Treats children with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Treats advanced renal cell carcinoma.
- Used in combination with chemotherapy or other cancer medicines to treat oesophageal cancer.
- Prevents blood clots in cases like broken bones, immobility, surgeries, etc.
3. Eliquis
Eliquis is a prescription medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as anticoagulants or blood thinners. It is considered an anticoagulant because apixaban is its active ingredient. Eliquis is FDA-approved for treating and preventing dangerous blood clots that can block blood vessels in the body.
Uses
- Treats deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Prevents stroke.
- Treats pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Reduces the risk of systemic embolism.
- Avoids thromboembolic events in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
- Used as an anticoagulant therapy during cardiac catheterization procedures
4. Revlimid
Revlimid is a medication that contains the drug lenalidomide. It is a thalidomide analog, an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) with various putative molecular targets and biological effects. Revlimid is primarily used to treat multiple types of cancers affecting blood cells.
Uses
- Used in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
- Used as maintenance therapy after an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT).
- Treats lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
- Used off-label for the treatment of systemic light-chain amyloidosis.
- Tackles myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Used in combination with rituximab to treat follicular and marginal zone lymphoma.
5. Imbruvica
Imbruvica is a medication available in tablet and capsule forms that are taken orally once a day. Its active ingredient is ibrutinib. Ibrutinib works by inhibiting specific proteins in cancer cells, slowing their growth, and preventing the spread of cancer.
Uses
- Treats mantel cell lymphoma (MCL).
- Treats chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- Tackles small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
- Treats waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM).
- Manages chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD).
- Prescribed off-label to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
6. Stelara
Stelara is a highly effective medication that contains ustekinumab. Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody derived from immune system cells. It is specifically designed to target and alleviate the symptoms of various inflammatory conditions associated with immune system dysfunction.
Uses
- Provides relief for people suffering from this autoimmune skin condition.
- Treats psoriatic arthritis for adults.
- Deals with the challenges of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.
- Treats adults with this type of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Used off-label in the treatment of active systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Used for investigational purposes of hidradenitis suppurativa.
7. Xarelto
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a medication also classified as a blood thinner. It works by inhibiting the activity of Factor Xa, an enzyme involved in blood clot formation. While Xarelto does not thin the blood, it helps prevent the formation of blood clots and reduces the risk of strokes and systemic embolisms in certain medical conditions.
Uses
- Reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
- Treats and maintains drugs for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Reduces the risk of recurrence of pulmonary embolism.
- Prevents blood clot formation in patients suffering from heart failure, respiratory disease, or infectious diseases.
- Used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent blood clots in patients with cancer.
- Prevents the recurrence of ischemic events, such as heart attacks or peripheral artery disease
8. Opdivo
Opdivo is an immunotherapy drug that belongs to a class of medications known as checkpoint inhibitors. It targets the PD-1 receptor, found on the surface of T cells, the immune cells responsible for fighting cancer. PD-1 helps regulate immune responses in healthy tissues, but cancer cells can exploit this mechanism to evade immune attacks. Opdivo blocks the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1/PD-L2 molecules in cancer cells. This blockage enables T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells effectively.
Uses
- Treats advanced melanoma.
- Treats non-small cell lung cancer.
- Used in combination with ipilimumab for newly diagnosed malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- Treats adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Treats patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
- Treats with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) metastatic colon.
Factors that Impact the Demand for the Drug Companies
Here are four key factors that impact the demand for drugs:
1. Disease Prevalence and Epidemiology
The prevalence of diseases and their impact on the population greatly influence the demand for drugs. The burden of chronic diseases, or infectious outbreaks, shapes the market for specific medications to treat and manage these conditions.
2. Demographic Changes
Changing demographics, such as aging populations and urbanization, play a crucial role in drug demand. Different age groups have varying healthcare needs, and understanding demographic shifts helps target drug development and delivery strategies accordingly.
3. Economic Factors
Economic factors, including income levels, affordability, and healthcare expenditures, substantially impact drug demand. If medicines are expensive or not affordable, people may struggle to access their prescribed treatments. The cost and accessibility of medications greatly affect the choices people make and their ability to follow through with the necessary treatments.
4. Government Policies and Regulations
Regulatory frameworks, pricing regulations, reimbursement policies, and intellectual property rights all affect the availability, accessibility, and affordability of medicines. This further influences its demand in the market. Understanding and navigating these factors is crucial for ensuring that drugs are accessible and affordable to those who need them.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, understanding the demand for drugs in India is vital for pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, and healthcare providers. By now, you must be aware of the factors that significantly impact drug demand. By aligning their strategies with these factors, stakeholders can meet the evolving healthcare needs of the Indian market effectively.
Moreover, if you’re looking for a trusted name in the pharmaceutical industry for reliable and high-quality medications, consider Mediwin Pharmaceuticals. They have been one of the top pharma companies serving India since 1990. It is among the top pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Ahmedabad because they facilitate effective medications for chronic conditions, specialized therapies, and preventive care.
So, visit Mediwin’s website today to discover its diverse product portfolio!