June drugs sales near Covid-19 levels

Ahmedabad: This June, Gujarat witnessed a worrying spike in respiratory and seasonal infections, triggering a significant rise in the sale and consumption of medicines. According to data compiled by Pharmarack, sale of anti-infective drugs saw a 71% rise in June 2024 as compared to the same month five years ago, nearing the level of sales observed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sales in this category reached Rs 80 crore, marking a 25% growth from Rs 64 crore in June 2023. Sales of medicines to treat respiratory illnesses too have risen sharply. Pharmarack data says that June recorded sales worth Rs 43 crore, up 27% from Rs 34 crore last June. Over a five-year period, this category saw a 52% surge, reflecting a broader disease prevalence and medicine consumption.

Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) Pharmarack, attributed this spike to the unusual weather patterns in June. "The change in season was marked by wide temperature differences. It was extremely hot on some days, humid on others , then it rained heavily on some days. This fluctuation has led to a rise in viral and bacterial infections across all states including Gujarat," she said. Sapale also noted that the spurt in infections is not limited to common respiratory ailments. "Cases of cough and cold, along with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have also increased. This year, rain has been heavier in places where it typically doesn’t rain as much, further complicating the situation." A pharma industry source said, “Our bodies don’t adapt well to abrupt changes in weather. Milder versions of Covid-19 have also infected people. Since most of us are vaccinated the impact isn't severe, but mild body ache, viral fever and coughing are seen due to Covid and related infections.” Dr Nikita Rajguru, a pulmonologist with Shalby Hospital, said that the month of June – especially the second half – was marked by a spike in respiratory illnesses due to a change in season. “We are seeing atypical pneumonia cases which were not very common four to five years ago. It includes both viral and bacterial infections. The trend is more prominent after the Covid period as those with existing conditions such as scarring or fibrosis of lungs are at the receiving end,” she said. “We are also witnessing a rise in secondary viral infections in patients with asthma or COPD.” Dr Dhiren Sanandiya, former president of the Ahmedabad Family Physicians Association, said the initial period of monsoon is typically marked by a rise in infections. “We advise patients with compromised immunity to take flu shots before June. With a drop in temperature and a few spells of rain, June-July generally sees a spike in infections.”
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