Drug Sales for Respiratory Illnesses Hit ₹1,950 Crore in December 2025; Record Growth Driven by Pollution

The sale of medications for respiratory illnesses in India reached record levels in December 2025, signaling the growing impact of air pollution on public health. According to a report by Pharmarack, sales of drugs for conditions like allergies and asthma crossed ₹1,950 crore in December—the highest monthly figure ever recorded.

This represents a 10% increase over December 2024 and an 18% rise compared to December 2023, highlighting the growing prevalence of respiratory ailments in urban India. The overall pharmaceutical market in India is valued at ₹2.4 lakh crore annually.

Quarterly Trends Show Rising Pollution Impact
Between October and December, traditionally the peak pollution period, sales of respiratory medications surged by 14% over the same quarter in 2024 and 8% over 2023, totaling more than ₹5,620 crore. Of this, approximately ₹3,500 crore came from asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) treatments. COPD is a chronic condition that severely impairs breathing.

Top-Selling Drugs
Among the most sold drugs, the asthma medication Foracort ranked second with ₹90 crore in sales, while the leading drug was the weight-loss medication Mounjaro. Other commonly used medicines during this period included Augmentin and Paracetamol.

Doctors Cite Pollution as a Key Driver
Medical experts attribute the spike in respiratory illnesses to increased exposure to airborne pollutants and dust particles, which can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions. Amitabh Malik, Head of ENT at Paras Health, Gurugram, noted that OPD visits for allergic rhinitis and bronchitis can rise by up to 60% daily during peak pollution months. For vulnerable populations, masks and air purifiers are recommended, while steroid inhalers and anti-allergic medications remain essential for treatment.

A Growing Public Health Concern
Pharmarack’s November report highlighted double-digit month-on-month growth in respiratory drug sales across various regions, indicating that winter-related illnesses are no longer merely seasonal. Instead, rising pollution during winter has emerged as a serious public health challenge affecting both northern and southern parts of India equally.