India Womens Health Therapeutics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Application (Contraceptive Drugs, Dysmenorrhea Therapeutics, Antibiotics, Antifungals, Hormone Replacement, Acne Treatment, Bone Health, and Others) and Forecast, 2022-2029

The India women’s health therapeutics market size was valued at USD 1.98 billion in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.22 billion in 2022 to USD 5.98 billion in 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with women’s health therapeutics experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, this market exhibited a decline of 4.8% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Increasing prevalence of a number of women’s health problems, such as dysmenorrhea, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and osteoporosis, is surging the demand for precise treatment options among Indian women. This, along with increase in the sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity is also affecting women’s health condition and fueling the risk of women’s health problem in India. According to a study by Medibuddy in 2022, it was reported that approximately 23% of the Indian women were complaining regarding their missed period and an estimated 18% increase in PCOS cases were observed majorly due to inactive and sedentary lifestyle among young adults.

Rising prevalence of these disorders and increasing awareness among the Indian population regarding the available therapy options are some of the few key factors anticipated to boost the adoption of a number of drugs related to women’s health problems. Therefore, this is expected to drive the India women’s health therapeutics market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Difficulty in Accessing Healthcare Resources amid COVID-19 Led to Negative Impact on the Market Growth

The impact of COVID-19 resulted in the increase in the number of women’s health problems during the pandemic. For instance, according to an article published by Hindustan Times in 2021, it was reported that almost 30% increase in PCOS cases was observed among women in the age group of 25-30 years due to inactivity. This huge number of patients were requiring healthcare resources during the lockdown scenario.

However, postponement of non-essential diagnosis and surgeries to preserve healthcare resources for the treatment of COVID-19 patients resulted in limiting patient’s access to healthcare resources. For instance, according to the report by MSI Reproductive Choices, it was stated that in between January and June 2020, an estimated 1.3 million Indian women lost access to abortion and contraceptives. Also, according to an article published by Informa U.K. Limited, an estimated 36% decrease was observed for injectable contraceptive administration in India during the 2019-2020 period. As a result, a significant decline was witnessed in the adoption of women’s health therapeutics during the pandemic, which led to a negative growth during the 2019-2020 period.

However, recommencing the treatment procedures of women’s health complications, including acne treatment, hormonal therapy, and others is escalating the market growth of women’s health therapeutics post-pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

Preferential Shift of Patients from Retail Pharmacies to Online Channels for Drug Purchasing

Increasing penetration of e-commerce platforms has changed the conventional way of purchasing drugs from physical drug stores. Also, entrance of major players in online pharmacies has aided the adoption rate of a variety of drugs, including contraceptive pills and combination hormonal injections from online channels. For instance, Amazon entered the online pharmacy network in August 2020 with an aim to distribute drugs in remote locations within a short span of time. Thus, increasing penetration rate of online platforms with their wide distribution network and ease of access is shifting the preference of consumers from retail drug stores toward online stores while purchasing drugs.

In addition, a rising shift is witnessed among the rural population of India for using modern contraceptive methods, including birth control pills, combination hormonal injection, and others for certain health benefits. According to an article published by Down to Earth in December 2020, an estimated 64.7% of the population in rural areas of Maharashtra were using modern contraceptive methods.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Prevalence of Women’s Health Disorders to Surge the Demand for Women’s Health Therapeutics Options

Increasing prevalence of women’s health disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, and osteoporosis, is one of the major factors for the growth of the market during the study period.

• For instance, according to an article by Dr. Hemi Soneja, the prevalence of PCOS in India was estimated to be around 22.5% in 2021.


• Also, according to an article by Heritage Amruth, an estimated 46 million of Indian women were suffering from osteoporosis in 2021.

Thus, the growing number of women suffering from these disorders is augmenting the demand for women’s health therapeutics treatment options.

This, along with growing focus of the major market players such as Novartis AG, Abbott, and other players focusing toward the introduction of drug molecules to fulfill the rising demand for therapeutics is also expected to fuel the adoption rate of women’s health therapeutics.

• In August 2021, Abbott launched a single-dose formulation of carbetocin in India with an aim to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

Additionally, growing government initiatives for the awareness campaign on women’s health is also fostering the adoption rate of available women’s health therapeutics for contraception, acne treatment, osteoporosis, and other women health related disorders among Indian women. This is propelling the growth of the market during the study period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Availability of Alternate Treatment Options to Limit the Adoption Rate of Women’s Health Therapeutics

Increasing prevalence of key disorders among Indian women such as polycystic ovary syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and others is increasing the demand for available treatment options. However, availability of various alternative treatment options, including female sterilization, copper T, and laser therapy is significantly limiting the adoption rate of available therapeutic options such as oral pills, hormonal injectable, and others.

• For instance, according to an article published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. in December 2020, it was reported that among a number of birth control methods, use of condoms increased significantly from the last five years, whereas female sterilizations and use of oral contraceptive pills dropped marginally. This is leading to limiting the adoption rate of available drug options for women’s health disorders.

This coupled with preference toward generic drugs is also one of the major restraining factors for the slower adoption of branded drugs.

• According to an article by the Pharmaletter in May 2020, it was reported that a significant proportion of the Indian population has been opting for generic medicine due to lower costs compared to branded drugs.

Thus, availability of alternate options and preference toward cost effective generic medicines for the treatment options are significantly declining the adoption rate of branded drugs and restraining the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Application Analysis

Rising Number of Unintended Pregnancies Led to the Dominance of Contraceptive Drugs Segment in 2021

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into contraceptive drugs, dysmenorrhea therapeutics, antibiotics, antifungals, hormone replacement, acne treatment, bone health, and others.

The contraceptive drugs segment held a lion’s share in 2021. Presence of a large number of patients experienced unintended pregnancies in India, which resulted in the unmet need for modern contraception among adolescent women

• According to a research article by Guttmacher Institute in March 2021, it was estimated that approximately 2.4 million of adolescent women in India want to avoid pregnancy and in need of modern contraception. This is leading to the segmental dominance during the study period.

On the other hand, the hormone replacement segment is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Rising number of patients suffering with menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and others is leading to growing demand for therapy options. This is resulting in the increasing adoption of hormone replacement therapy and is anticipated to fuel the growth of this segment during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Emphasis on New Product Launches and Partnerships to Result in Market Dominance of Tier-1 Players

The competitive landscape of the market consists of tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 players. Major players, such as Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and others, are focusing on the product introduction to increase the India women’s health therapeutics market share during the study period.

Also, a few players, including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. and others are adopting inorganic growth strategies, such as partnerships and mergers, to expand their consumer base in the India market. Other key players operating in the India market are Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cipla Inc., Abbott, Lupin, Bayer AG, Granules India Limited, and Emami Limited.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)


• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (India)


• Cipla Inc. (India)


• Abbott (U.S.)


• Lupin (India)


• Bayer AG (Germany)


• Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India)


• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (India)


• Granules India Limited (India)


• Emami Limited (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2022 - Cipla Inc. launched Evexpert intimate wash to expand the women’s feminine hygiene product portfolio.


• February 2022 - Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. entered into an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Novartis India Ltd., with an aim to strengthen the brand presence in India and increase the customer base.


• June 2021 – Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. partnered with Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. to launch CARITEC obstetric drug in India to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.


• September 2020 - Bayer AG announced the completion of its acquisition of KaNDy Therapeutics Ltd., with a view to enhance its drug development pipeline in the women healthcare division.


• February 2020 - Cipla Inc. acquired Wanbury Ltd.'s nutrition product portfolio to strengthen the women’s health segment.

REPORT COVERAGE

The India women’s health therapeutics market report provides a granular overview of the industry by performing corporate analysis and accurate data. It focuses on key aspects such as growth rates, leading market players, industry trends, and applications. Besides, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report analyzes and understands several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation