US Drug Patent Expiries to Benefit Indian Pharma Industry: Care Ratings

Mumbai: Expiry of drug patents in the US is great news for not only consumers but also the domestic pharmaceutical industry, where generics account for about 75 per cent of total sales, CARE Ratings said in a report released here on Wednesday.

Indian pharmaceutical companies have an opportunity to capitalise on the patent cliff and gain a greater share of the growing generics market.

At present, India accounts for nearly 40 per cent of generic drugs, over-the-counter products and 10 per cent of finished dosages used in the US.

During 2014-2016, about $92 billion worth of patented drugs are expected to go off-patent in the US as compared to $65 billion in 2010-12.

Indian companies' share in the US generics market has grown rapidly on the back of aggressive ANDA (abbreviated new drug application) filings, successful pursuit of Para-IV and capitalisation on patent expiries of blockbuster drugs.

Under US laws, ANDA filed with a Para-IV certification states that the generic company first-to-file a Para IV gets "exclusive rights" to sell the generic version of a branded drug for 180 days, with only the patent holder as the other player in the market.

Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's and Lupin have been the most prolific filers for Para-IVs. Indian players with a robust product portfolio, filings and necessary manufacturing infrastructure are well placed to capitalise on this forthcoming opportunity, CARE Ratings said.

Indian companies have built a strong pipeline of products to be sold in the US. During 2013, Indian companies secured 39 per cent of total 400 ANDA approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as against 37 per cent of total 476 ANDA approvals during 2012.

As per experts, the industry size is expected to increase from $24.87 billion in 2013 to $47.88 billion by 2018 at a CAGR of 14 per cent, the report added.