India among top 10 pharma markets by 2020

New Delhi: India will join the league of top 10 global pharmaceuticals markets in terms of sales by 2020 with the total value reaching $50 billion by then, according to a report. The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said that the country's population is growing rapidly, as is its economy-creating a large middle-class that can to afford western medicines. 

An ageing population together with increase in problems associated with cardio-vascular disorders and central nervous system will lead to higher demand for drugs, the report said. Around $70 billion worth of drugs are expected to go off patent in the U.S. over the next three years and India is capable of manufacturing a substantial share of the products. Several Indian firms have already entered into research partnerships with multinationals - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Torrent have joined hands with Novartis while Ranbaxy has formed alliances with GSK and Schwarz Pharmaceuticals, the report added.

India, which produces more than 20 percent of the world's generics, is likely to become a competitor of global pharma in some key areas, and a potential partner in others. It has a considerable contract manufacturing expertise, the report says. "Global players in the pharmaceutical industry are seeing immense prospects in the Indian market due to its sheer demographic profile. India could be the most populous country in the world by 2050 and is now making its mark as a growing market," Sujay Shetty of PWC said.