Pollution delivers double-digit boost to respiratory drug sales

Ahmedabad: Gujarat is coughing its way through winter as air pollution turns routine illnesses severe. Cases of both upper and lower respiratory ailments have spiked sharply across the state, with doctors pointing to a toxic mix of changing weather patterns and rising pollution levels.The impact is visible in medicine sales. Data from Pharmarack shows respiratory drug sales climbed from Rs 69 crore in Dec 2024 to Rs 76 crore in Dec 2025 — an 11% rise. Sales of anti-infectives, including antibiotics and anti-virals, increased from Rs 90 crore to Rs 102 crore over the same period. Medical practitioners link the surge to a rise in pollution-triggered allergies and respiratory infections.Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at Pharmarack, said the growth is being driven by higher demand for anti-asthma and COPD therapies, antihistamines and nasal preparations used to manage allergy symptoms. "While winter typically brings a seasonal uptick, high pollution levels across several states have sharply amplified demand this year, pushing the respiratory segment into sustained double-digit growth well beyond normal trends," she said.Rising air pollution is translating into a sharp increase in respiratory ailments, driving higher medicine sales across categories. . Drugs used to treat asthma, pulmonary conditions, upper respiratory infections and antibiotics have seen especially strong demand.For many patients, routine seasonal infections are lingering far longer than usual. "What should settle in three to four days stretches to over a week because of dust and air pollution. Constant exposure to construction dust worsens my cough, and speaking through the day only adds to the irritation. By night, the bouts become severe, disrupting sleep and recovery," said Dr Chandani Korat, a prosthetist.In some cases, symptoms have persisted for nearly a fortnight. "I developed an extreme cough with breathing discomfort that lasted close to two weeks. Doctors said it was a seasonal issue aggravated by pollution. The prolonged symptoms made everyday work exhausting and showed how badly polluted air can affect even those without prior respiratory problems," said Tanushree Solanki, an interior designer.Doctors attribute the surge to prolonged infections caused by sustained exposure to polluted air, affecting not just vulnerable groups but otherwise healthy adults as well.Dr Tushar Patel, pulmonologist and critical care specialist at KD Hospital, said many patients over the past six weeks have seen symptoms persist for over two weeks, and in some cases nearly a month. "Fluctuating temperatures, viral infections and poor air quality are acting together, worsening symptoms and delaying recovery," he said, adding that masks are being advised for people working in industrial and high PM2.5 zones.Dr Shachi Dave, pulmonologist at Narayana Hospital, said prolonged symptoms are the defining feature this season. "Medicines alone are often not enough, and many patients require nebulisers or inhalers for quicker relief. We have seen a 30–35% rise in daily OPDs related to respiratory illnesses," she said.