The grim reality of India's air pollution crisis is now being measured in soaring medical bills and skyrocketing sales of respiratory medications. New data reveals a sharp and troubling escalation in pollution-linked health issues, with spending on medicines to combat these ailments reaching unprecedented levels.
Record-Breaking Sales Signal Deepening Health Crisis
According to figures from market research firm Pharmarack, sales of respiratory medicines, which include anti-allergics and anti-asthma therapies, surged past Rs 1,950 crore in December 2025 alone. This marks the highest monthly sales level ever recorded for this category. The December 2025 figure was 10% higher than in December 2024 and over 18% more compared to December 2023, indicating a consistent and worrying year-on-year increase.
The trend is even more pronounced when looking at the peak pollution quarter. For the October-December 2025 period, sales rose by 14% year-on-year over 2024 and by 8% over 2023. During this quarter, total respiratory therapy sales crossed Rs 5,620 crore, representing a significant 17% rise from the previous quarter. A substantial majority of this—nearly Rs 3,500 crore—was contributed by medications for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Top Medications and Nationwide Impact
The data highlights specific drugs driving this surge. Foracort, a medication used for asthma and respiratory issues, was among the top-selling drugs during the winter months. In December, it was the second largest selling drug overall with sales of Rs 90 crore, following only the weight-loss therapy Mounjaro. Other widely-used therapies included Augmentin, marketed by GSK Pharma, and Paracetamol for pain and fever management.
Significantly, this health impact is not confined to one region. The Pharmarack data noted that the trend is visible across zones, with the north and south of India showing similar sales patterns. The firm stated in a November update that "multiple regions recorded a double-digit month-on-month growth, indicating that winter-triggered ailments are no longer a seasonal fluctuation but air pollution in winter months makes it an escalating public health trigger."
Medical Experts Link Spike Directly to Toxic Air
Healthcare professionals confirm a direct correlation between deteriorating air quality and the surge in patient numbers and medication demand. Dr. Amitabh Malik, Head of ENT at Paras Health in Gurgaon, explained the on-ground reality. "With a rise in suspended particles in the air, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis patients increase by about 60% in the daily outpatient department," he said. "Use of masks and air purifiers does help to a great extent, especially in susceptible individuals. As far as treatment is considered, use of steroid inhalers as well as anti-allergics forms the backbone."
A GSK Pharma India executive echoed this, noting, "The October to February period typically coincides with a seasonal rise in upper respiratory infections. This leads to increased demand for related medications during these months. Poor air quality is purported to be a contributing factor, particularly in the rise of allergic rhinitis and respiratory symptoms like cough and cold." Medical experts consistently warn that exposure to air pollution can aggravate asthma and respiratory infections, and can even lead to serious chronic conditions like COPD.
This surge in respiratory drug sales, set against the backdrop of an estimated Rs 2.4 lakh crore annual domestic pharma market, paints a stark picture of the immense and growing economic and health burden imposed by air pollution across Indian cities. The data serves as a clear, quantifiable alarm that the toxic air is not just an environmental issue but a full-blown public health emergency.
