Pharma sector revenue, margins likely to remain healthy in FY2022: ICRA

New Delhi, Dec 23 With inelastic demand for drugs and resumption of production to the near pre-Covid levels by Q3 FY2021, revenue growth for IPM (Indian Pharmaceutical Market) is expected to be 7-9 per cent in FY2021 despite muted growth in Q1 FY2021, ratings agency ICRA said in a report.

The revenue growth in FY2022 is expected to be slightly better at 8-11 per cent, though lower incidences of acute diseases, lesser OPDs and elective surgeries may continue to have some bearing on growth and will depend upon the course of the pandemic, the report added.

The API/KSM (Key Starting materials) supplies from China, which were initially hit due to the Covid-19, have resumed gradually since March 2020 and are nearing the normalcy levels. Approximately 60 per cent of the APIs/KSM consumed, is imported from China.

Production disruptions owing to restrictions in mobility of manpower and materials eased significantly after the first few weeks of the lockdown. At present, the production has reached 90-95 per cent of the pre-Covid levels. The profitability has improved in H1 FY2021 owing to lesser overheads during the lockdown period - primarily travel, marketing and selling expenditure.

The trend is expected to reverse once the pandemic situation resolves and FY2022 margins will remain in line with the pre-Covid levels, the report said.

The credit metrics of leading pharma companies are expected to remain stable in view of future growth prospects in regulated markets and relatively strong balance sheets, ICRA said adding that the capital structure and coverage indicators are expected to remain strong despite pressure on profitability and a marginal rise in debt levels given the inorganic investments.