Cardiovascular medicines are emerging as the fastest-growing drug category in Gujarat, outstripping every other major therapy segment, according to the latest pharmaceutical market data.
According to media reports, figures from Pharmarack’s Market Pulse (Moving Annual Total for January 2026) show that sales of cardiac drugs across key regions of the state have risen between 12% and 17% year-on-year. The jump significantly exceeds the overall growth of the state’s pharmaceutical market, which expanded by 8% during the same period. Statewide, cardiac drug sales recorded a 13% rise.
In Ahmedabad — the largest cardiac drug market in Gujarat — sales reached Rs.693 crore, marking a 16.5% increase, even as the overall pharma market in the city grew by 9.7% to Rs.4,127 crore, reports said.
Saurashtra posted the sharpest rise in cardiac medicines at 18.4%, with sales touching Rs. 476 crore, compared to an 11.2% growth in its overall pharma market of Rs.2,653 crore.
In Surat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, cardiac drug sales grew 12.5% to Rs.315 crore, while Vadodara reported a 12.1% rise to Rs.329 crore. Both regions recorded overall pharma market growth of under 10%.
Notably, cardiac therapies have outpaced other major treatment categories. Anti-diabetic drugs grew at 11%, while anti-infectives saw growth in the 3–7% range. Vitamin and mineral supplements expanded by 5–10%, and gastrointestinal therapies by 3–5%. The trend is particularly striking given Gujarat’s reputation as the “diabetes capital” of India.
Industry experts say the sustained double-digit growth in cardiovascular medicines is not a one-off spike. Similar trends have been observed over the past two years, with cardiac drug sales consistently rising between 10% and 18% in major markets across the state.
Dr. Aman Patel, cardiologist at Apex Heart Institute, told Vibes of India that one of the probable key reasons for this is preventive health check-ups. People are getting check-ups done and this then leads to doctors prescribing medicines that are needed.
He said the increased check-ups are because of the awareness about health and reports of deaths of young people.
Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at Pharmarack, was quoted in the media linking the surge to shifting lifestyle patterns. Sedentary habits, poor dietary choices and lack of exercise are driving an increase in heart-related ailments, she was quoted.
Sapale also pointed out that cardiovascular diseases are now being detected in younger age groups. Because these conditions are chronic and often require lifelong medication, the demand for such drugs remains steady and sustained. While medicines for high blood pressure traditionally see higher usage among older individuals, doctors are increasingly prescribing advanced cardiac drugs to younger patients. According to her, individuals in their most professionally active years tend to show better compliance with treatment, further contributing to consistent drug consumption.
Medical professionals caution that rising sales of cardiac drugs reflect a deeper health concern. Recent surveys have already shown growing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Gujarat — both major risk factors for heart disease.
Also Read: Fit, Clean ECG, Yet Fatal: Hidden Heart Risks Behind Sudden Cardiac Death https://www.vibesofindia.com/fit-clean-ecg-yet-fatal-hidden-heart-risks-behind-sudden-cardiac-death/
