The oncology market in India is estimated to grow to Rs 3,831 crore by 2017 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.46 per cent. Now growing at 20 per cent year-on-year, biologics and targeted therapy are poised to grow faster than chemotherapy in the Indian oncology market, according to a report by Frost and Sullivan.

With 28 lakh prevalent cases of all types of cancer in India, every year at least 8 lakh new cases are being diagnosed . Studies have also revealed that the incidence of cancer is higher amongst women than men, the report adds.

Cancer of the oral cavity and lungs prevalent in males, and cervix and breast cancer in females, tend to account for over 50 per cent of all cancer-related deaths in India.

Biologics

The report adds that chemotherapy, biologics, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and supportive care are the different types of available cancer treatment in India. Amongst these, chemotherapy recorded the highest market value of approximately Rs 700 crore in 2012.

Moving forward, the report adds, there will be a sharp rise in market share of biologics and targeted therapy, which are poised to overtake chemotherapy as the preferred treatment option.

Discussing the oncology market in India, Ajaykumar Sharma, Associate Director, Pharma and Lifescience, Frost & Sullivan said , with an increase in emphasis on health coverage both by the Union as well as State Governments, spending on coverage of medicines for oncology is set to see a substantial rise in the coming 3-5 years.

Regulatory hurdles

Among the key challenges currently being faced are regulatory hurdles and like-approvals for oncology trial procedures, he added. In addition, tight budgets act to further restrict the use of new therapies in oncology.

Stating that differential pricing of expensive drugs is another challenge, Sharma said the huge shortage of specialised surgical and medical oncologists in India is another vexing issue.

At present, there are only 30 Regional Care Centres (RCCs), wherein only 5-6 RCCs employ skilled medical oncologists, Sharma said. Another key challenge was compulsory licensing and patent revocation in India, he said.

Stating that the government should focus more on purchasing expensive drugs, such as the ones used for cancer treatment, and provide the same at subsidised costs to the population, Sharma added that this would keep the market forces in equilibrium.

>amritanair.ghaswalla@thehindu.co.in

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