Anti-infective drug sales surge in May as fever season grips country

Analysts indicate sales in the segment are expected to grow more during monsoon months

Sales of anti-infective drugs in India saw a 7.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) value growth to Rs 2,130 crore in May 2025, compared to Rs 1,979 crore during the same month last year due to initiation of viral season and rise in Covid cases across the country, according to industry analysts and doctors.

 

Among the anti-infectives segment, which contributes around 11 per cent to overall Indian Pharma Market (IPM) revenue, subgroups such as antibacterial and antifungal drugs drove the overall sales growth with a 9.1 per cent and 7 per cent rise in sales during the month.

 

Data from market research firm Pharmarack suggests that while antibacterial sales grew from Rs 1,676 crore in May 2024 to Rs 1,829 crore in May this year, antifungals rose to Rs 152 crore from Rs 142 crore for the same period.

 

This comes even as these two sub-segments formed around 93 per cent of the total anti-infective sales in the country for the last month.

 

Tushar Tayal, consultant, Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said that one of the main reasons for this surge is the beginning of the viral season, which usually starts around April.

 

During this time, respiratory infections, viral fevers, and stomach-related illnesses become more common. 

 

“While many of these are caused by viruses and do not always need antibiotics, doctors often prescribe them as a precaution or due to patient demand, leading to higher usage of anti-infective drugs even when not strictly necessary,” he added. 

 

Another expert added that an increase in Covid-19 cases reported over the last few weeks has also contributed to the rise. 

 

“Though most cases are mild, fear of complications often leads to the use of antivirals and supportive antibiotics, especially in older or high-risk patients. In hospitals, anti-infectives are often given to prevent or treat secondary infections that may follow viral illnesses,” he added.

 

India has reported 7,400 active Covid-19 cases as of June 14, up from just 35 cases on April 28 this year.

 

According to India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), the continued revenue growth during May was driven by new product launches and price hikes taken by companies in the segment.

 

Another reason could be the ongoing heatwave and rise in temperatures in many parts of the country.

 

“Hot weather increases the chances of food and waterborne infections like typhoid and gastroenteritis, which usually require antibiotics. People are also more likely to fall sick during travel or due to dehydration, which can lead to secondary infections,” Tayal added.

 

Analysts expect the segment’s sales to grow further in the upcoming months, which would be marked by monsoon-induced illnesses.

 

Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at market research firm Pharmarack, said that acute therapies such as anti-infectives are expected to see growth in sales primarily due to the rise in cough and cold, vector-borne diseases and skin infections, which come with the rainy season.

 

“The Indian Pharma Market (IPM) might grow to the tune of 7 to 8 per cent Y-o-Y during FY26, with sustained growth momentum in chronic therapies such as anti-infectives, led by price increases and product launches,” Nishith Sanghvi, director, Corporate Ratings at Ind-Ra added.

                                          Sales for major Anti Infective sub segments 

 

		Sales (in Rs cr)
	Contribution to segment	May '24	May '25	YoY growth %
Overall Anti Infectives	100%	1,979	2,130	7.6
Antibacterials	86%	1,676	1,829	9.1
Antifungals	7%	142	152	7
Antivirals	4%	90	83	-7.2
Anti-TB	2%	42	35	-16.1

 

Source: Pharmarack