India Artesunate Market By Source (In-house v/s Contract Manufacturing Organizations), By Form (Tablet v/s Injection), By Route of Administration (Oral v/s Intravenous), By Application (Malaria, Parasitic Infections, COVID-19, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online v/s Offline), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

India Artesunate Market was valued at USD 96.54 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 135.91 Million by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 6.01% in the forecast period.  

The India artesunate market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the high prevalence of malaria and the government’s continuous efforts to eradicate the disease. Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, is a vital antimalarial drug commonly used for the treatment of severe malaria, especially in regions with resistance to traditional therapies. The increasing demand for effective and fast-acting antimalarial treatments has positioned artesunate as a key component in the pharmaceutical landscape. The market in India is dominated by both domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers and international players, with a growing number of generic drug producers contributing to increased accessibility and affordability. Injectable artesunate formulations are especially in demand in rural and high-risk areas where malaria outbreaks are frequent and rapid treatment is critical. Oral tablets and combination therapies are also gaining traction as part of integrated malaria treatment protocols.

Government initiatives, such as mass drug administration and improved diagnostic infrastructure, are playing a crucial role in supporting the market. The non-governmental organizations and global health agencies have enhanced supply chain efficiency, further boosting market penetration. Urbanization, improved healthcare infrastructure, and awareness campaigns are facilitating higher adoption rates. In recent years, India has also become a key exporter of artesunate formulations to malaria-endemic countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, leveraging its cost-effective production capabilities. Looking ahead, innovations in formulation, stronger regulatory frameworks, and increased funding for research and development are expected to sustain the market’s upward trajectory. The artesunate market in India remains a cornerstone of the broader malaria treatment strategy and a key focus of public health policy.

Key Market Drivers

High Malaria Burden

India continues to face a high malaria burden, particularly in regions with tropical and sub-tropical climates. Malaria remains a major public health concern, especially in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and the northeastern states, where the majority of cases are concentrated. Tribal and rural populations are disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthcare and vector control measures. Each year, India reports hundreds of thousands of malaria cases, with a significant proportion attributed to Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. This type of malaria often leads to severe complications and requires immediate treatment with fast-acting drugs like artesunate. Plasmodium vivax also contributes to the overall disease burden but tends to be less severe.

The seasonal surge in malaria cases during the monsoon months increases the need for effective antimalarial drugs. The government’s disease surveillance programs have improved reporting accuracy, revealing the true scale of malaria infections across various regions. The high incidence rate places continuous pressure on public health systems and creates sustained demand for artesunate-based therapies. In areas with reported resistance to older antimalarials such as chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, artesunate has become the drug of choice. It is often used as a standalone injectable for severe cases or as part of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for uncomplicated malaria. The persistent prevalence of malaria in India ensures a stable and growing market for artesunate. Its effectiveness, rapid action, and government-backed distribution programs make it central to ongoing malaria control and treatment strategies across the country.

Government Initiatives

India's government has implemented comprehensive malaria control and elimination initiatives that have directly shaped the artesunate market trajectory. The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016–2030 outlines a phased approach, aiming to eliminate indigenous malaria across India by 2030. Building on this, the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017–2022 focused on eliminating malaria in 571 of the 678 districts by 2022. Funding for malaria control multiplied significantly over recent years. Between fiscal year 2017–18 and 2019–20, the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) budget increased from 4.68 billion INR to 12.03 billion INR, supporting expanded diagnostic and treatment services. As a consequence, malaria case numbers dropped sharply—from approximately 1.17 million cases in 2015 to around 227,000 cases by 2023—a decline of nearly 80%. Deaths related to malaria also decreased from 384 in 2015 to just 83 in 2023.

High-burden states such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have received targeted support under the High-Burden to High-Impact (HBHI) initiative launched in 2019. This tailored approach emphasized improved diagnostics, case tracking, and treatment delivery in those areas. By mid-2024, these states saw sustained reductions, allowing India to graduate from the HBHI focus list. The government’s push included the distribution of 9.7 million long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in high-endemic zones during 2020–21, combined with the certification of over 1,000 laboratory technicians in WHO-standard malaria microscopy techniques. A district-level “Track–Test–Treat–Track” model rolled out in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district across more than 1,200 villages, resulting in a 96% drop in indigenous malaria cases over a 12-month period.

These interventions—robust funding, aggressive surveillance, targeted high-burden strategies, and enhanced diagnostics—propel the demand for artesunate. As severe malaria treatment remains central to elimination goals, artesunate continues to be prioritized in government procurement, ensuring a stable and policy-backed market outlook.

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Key Market Challenges

Emerging Drug Resistance

Emerging drug resistance is a critical concern shaping the future of the artesunate market in India. Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite, has developed resistance to older antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, pushing artesunate into the frontline of treatment. However, signs of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives, including artesunate, have started appearing in parts of India, raising alarms in public health circles. In northeastern states such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Assam, genetic mutations linked to resistance are being detected with increasing frequency.

Triple and quadruple mutations in the dhfr-dhps gene, associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine failure, have been found in more than 25% of malaria cases in certain districts. This reflects the diminished efficacy of partner drugs in ACTs and reinforces the reliance on artesunate as the key therapeutic agent. Of greater concern are mutations in the pfkelch13 gene, a marker for artemisinin resistance. In districts of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, more than 10% of patients treated with ACTs remained parasitemic after 72 hours, a clinical indicator of emerging artemisinin resistance. Some samples have even shown double or triple mutations, pointing to the evolving genetic complexity of the parasite.

The rise in resistant strains increases demand for more potent and fast-acting artesunate formulations, especially injectable ones used for severe malaria. It also places pressure on health authorities to monitor efficacy closely and adapt treatment protocols. The artesunate market, while benefitting from increased demand, faces long-term uncertainty due to these shifting resistance patterns and the potential need for alternative therapies.

Regulatory Hurdles

Regulatory hurdles pose a significant challenge to the growth and stability of the artesunate market in India. As a critical drug for the treatment of severe malaria, artesunate is subject to stringent regulatory oversight to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) oversees the approval and monitoring of artesunate formulations in India. Delays in regulatory approvals often hinder timely entry of new products into the market, affecting availability during peak malaria seasons. Generic drug manufacturers face complex requirements to demonstrate bioequivalence and stability, particularly for injectable artesunate, which has stricter quality specifications due to its use in life-threatening cases. Compliance with WHO prequalification standards is necessary for manufacturers seeking to supply to international aid programs or export to malaria-endemic countries, but achieving this certification can take several months and requires significant investment.

Approximately 60% of artesunate supplied through government tenders must meet WHO or equivalent standards. Smaller manufacturers often struggle to meet these benchmarks, leading to market concentration among a few larger players. Inconsistent enforcement of quality control across states further complicates the regulatory landscape, sometimes resulting in the circulation of substandard or unregistered products.

Frequent updates to national treatment guidelines and procurement policies require constant adjustment by manufacturers, affecting production planning and inventory management. For export markets, meeting the regulatory requirements of each destination country adds another layer of complexity. These regulatory challenges collectively slow down innovation, limit competition, and can disrupt the steady supply of artesunate in both domestic and international markets.

Key Market Trends

Digital Expansion of Distribution

India’s artesunate distribution is undergoing a significant transformation with the growing role of digital platforms. The online pharmacy segment, which accounted for only around 1.5-3% of retail pharmaceutical sales in 2018–19, is expected to reach 10–20% by the mid-2020s. This expansion is increasing access to critical drugs like artesunate, particularly in remote and underserved regions where physical pharmacies may be limited.

Leading online platforms such as PharmEasy, Netmeds, 1mg, and Medlife collectively serve tens of thousands of postal codes, offering doorstep delivery of prescription medicines, including artesunate. These platforms enable easier access to both oral and injectable antimalarials, particularly where government supply chains may be slow or limited. Digital health infrastructure improvements under national health missions are also supporting integration of prescription uploads, digital payments, and medicine tracking. Features such as treatment reminders, digital consultations, and inventory management tools are improving adherence and timely access to medicines.

Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and resistance from brick-and-mortar chemists, the digital expansion of distribution offers new growth channels for artesunate suppliers. As e-pharmacies become more established, they may help stabilize demand fluctuations and reduce dependency on centralized public procurement cycles.

Increased Demand for Pediatric Formulations

The artesunate market in India is experiencing a clear shift in formulation preferences, driven by evolving clinical practices, ease of administration, and healthcare accessibility. Tablets currently account for approximately 55% of global artesunate sales, reflecting their widespread use in uncomplicated malaria cases. Oral formulations are favored for their ease of distribution, especially in community-level and outpatient treatment programs, where self-administration is practical and cost-effective. Injectable artesunate, which makes up around 45% of the global market, is seeing increasing demand, particularly in the treatment of severe malaria cases in hospitals. Intravenous artesunate holds the largest share among injectables, accounting for about 55% of this segment, due to its rapid action and proven effectiveness. Subcutaneous and intramuscular forms are emerging as alternatives in regions where intravenous administration may not be feasible, especially in remote areas lacking advanced medical infrastructure.

Within tablet formulations, mono-artesunate tablets hold nearly 60% of the market share, but the demand for combination therapies, such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), is rising rapidly. These combinations enhance efficacy and reduce the risk of drug resistance, with some ACTs witnessing a compound annual growth rate of over 10%. Pyronaridine-artesunate combinations are particularly gaining traction due to favorable clinical outcomes. Hospitals represent the largest share of injectable artesunate usage, while tablets are more commonly used in clinics and community health programs. The shift toward fixed-dose combinations and broader ACT coverage is expected to reshape both domestic and export markets, with manufacturers aligning production strategies to meet diversified treatment protocols and evolving healthcare needs.

Segmental Insights

Source Insights

Based on source, In the Indian artesunate market, Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) are increasingly dominating over in-house manufacturing. This shift is driven by the need for cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and scalability in a price-sensitive and highly regulated market. Many pharmaceutical companies, especially small and mid-sized players, prefer outsourcing production to CMOs to reduce capital investment in infrastructure, regulatory maintenance, and skilled labor. CMOs already equipped with WHO-GMP or CDSCO-compliant facilities offer faster time-to-market and can meet both domestic and export demands efficiently. As government tenders and WHO prequalification become essential for market participation, CMOs with proven compliance records are better positioned to secure large-scale orders.

In-house manufacturing remains relevant among a few large pharmaceutical companies that have the resources to manage end-to-end production, quality assurance, and distribution. However, these players often reserve in-house capabilities for high-margin or proprietary products while outsourcing high-volume, low-margin drugs like artesunate. The growing reliance on CMOs is supported by government initiatives promoting bulk drug parks and manufacturing incentives. This trend is expected to continue as companies seek flexibility, lower operational risks, and access to international markets through experienced contract manufacturers.

Form Insights

Based on form, In the Indian artesunate market, the tablet segment is emerging as the fastest growing formulation, outpacing injections in terms of adoption. Tablets account for the majority of use as they are cost-effective, easy to distribute, and ideally suited for large-scale public health programs targeting uncomplicated malaria cases, which make up most infections in the country. Their convenience in terms of storage, transport, and administration has made tablets the preferred option in rural and semi-urban regions, where access to trained healthcare professionals for injections is limited. Supported by national malaria control initiatives and community health programs, the tablet segment continues to register strong growth, cementing its position as the fastest growing category in India’s artesunate market.

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Regional Insights

Based on region, Eastern India dominated the artesunate market among the four regions—South, North, East, and West—due to its consistently high malaria burden, especially from Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. States in this region such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal contribute the largest share of malaria cases in the country, making them key targets for artesunate-based treatment.

Odisha alone has historically accounted for over 35% of India’s total malaria cases, and neighboring eastern states also report high transmission rates, particularly during the monsoon season. These areas are characterized by dense forests, tribal populations, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare infrastructure, all of which contribute to persistent malaria outbreaks. As a result, there is a strong and continuous demand for both oral and injectable artesunate. The Indian government, under programs like the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination and the High Burden to High Impact initiative, has concentrated significant resources in eastern India. These include mass distribution of ACTs (artemisinin-based combination therapies), diagnostic kits, and long-lasting insecticidal nets.

Due to this regional concentration of disease burden and public health response, pharmaceutical companies prioritize eastern India in their distribution strategies. This makes the East the dominant regional market for artesunate in both volume and public sector procurement.

Key Market Players

• Solara Active Pharma Sciences Limited
• Gonane Pharma
• Cipla Limited
• Mangalam Drugs & Organics Limited
• Nishchem International Pvt. Ltd.
• Vaishali Pharma Limited
• Vital Laboratories Private Limited
• Actiza Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd
• Systacare Remedies
• Prism Industries Ltd.

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Artesunate Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Artesunate Market, By Source:

o   In-house

o   Contract Manufacturing Organizations     

• India Artesunate Market, By Form:

o   Tablet

o   Injection      

• India Artesunate Market, By Route of Administration:

o   Oral

o   Intravenous      

• India Artesunate Market, By Distribution Channel:

o   Online

o   Offline    

• India Artesunate Market, By Application:

o   Malaria

o   Parasitic Infections

o   COVID-19

o   Others

• India Artesunate Market, By Region:

o   North India

o   East India

o   West India

o   South India

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Artesunate Market.

Available Customizations:

India Artesunate Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).