Indian pharma outlook stable as Chinese logistic disruption eases: ICRA
May 10, 2020: The credit rating agency ICRA has revised its outlook on the Indian pharmaceutical industry to stable from negative in view of the easing of supply chain disruptions resulting from lockdown in parts of China following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
May 10, 2020: The credit rating agency ICRA has revised its outlook on the Indian pharmaceutical industry to stable from negative in view of the easing of supply chain disruptions resulting from lockdown in parts of China following the outbreak of the coronavirus. The outlook was made negative earlier during the year, following supply chain disruptions related to critical API/ intermediates from China.
As per ICRA research, manufacturing activity has gradually started in China with shipments/air cargo arriving in India for APIs, Intermediates and KSMs (Key Starting Materials). This has led to production continuation for Indian players though the capacity utilization across plants is yet to reach pre-Covid-19 levels. The lower capacity utilization is largely contributed by restricted movement of personnel and availability of non-critical raw material (e.g. packaging material) during the lockdown period in India. Indian players hold 2-4 months of inventory (raw material & finished goods) and similar levels in the distribution channel (finished goods) which will largely suffice demand in the near term till situation normalizes.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus in China and the consequent lockout in parts of China had earlier resulted in a shutdown of production units in China. The domestic pharmaceutical industry is highly dependent on imports, with more than 60 percent of its active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) requirement being imported, and in some, specific APIs like cephalosporins, azithromycin and penicillin, the dependence is as high as 80 percent to 90 percent. Of the total imports of APIs and intermediates into India, China accounts for 65 percent-70 percent.
Know about the "Impact of Covid-19 on the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector" from Mr. Gaurav Jain, Vice President, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Limited in #ICRAPodcast.
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The global demand to remain stable for Indian pharmaceutical industry owing to inelastic nature of prescription drugs though some impact on volume growth will be felt owing to lockdown (lesser OPDs / Elective surgeries) and lower economic growth. The impact of lower demand will be felt more in less developed countries which are additionally negatively impacted, owing to low crude oil prices. Further, higher domestic sales during March 2020 led by stocking up of chronic and essential medicine will also have some impact on FY2021 sales.
As per ICRA research, the US revenue growth for Indian players remains exposed to delays in re-inspection of facilities under Warning letter and approval of limited competition products requiring pre-approval as USFDA has put on hold all routine inspections till further notice. Additionally, ban on exporting several products within EU will negatively impact Indian companies with European manufacturing bases. However, Indian players will benefit from INR depreciation vis a vis US$/EURO though part of the benefit will be nullified as several emerging market (EMs) currencies have sharply appreciated against INR.
While the domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers have not seen any significant increase in raw material prices owing to supply chain disruption, there will be slight moderation in profitability for Indian players in FY2021 contributed by a mix of lower demand and capacity utilization, higher raw material prices and logistic costs during lockdown period. With a healthy balance sheet characterised by comfortable capital structure and coverage indicators, the credit profile is unlikely to be impacted for the Indian pharmaceutical sector by such moderation in profitability in FY2021.
ICRA also believes that Indian companies are unlikely to modify spend on R&D development which will support their long-term growth prospects. In view, of the above, ICRA has revised its outlook on the Indian pharmaceutical industry to stable from negative.