Covid-19 impact | Are Indians spending too much on immunity boosters?

Covid-19 has transformed the spending habits of millions of Indians. It has altered the preferences of many, with more people buying products expected to help boost immunity levels. For instance, more than a year ago, the word ‘sanitiser’ was hardly a party of our lingo. Now from grocery shelves to our pockets, sanitisers are an important part of our daily lives.

As more and more people have become health conscious there has been a massive spike in the sales of immunity boosters, vitamin supplements, antivirals, antibiotics since last year.

According to a report in The Economic Times, Indians have bought nearly Rs 15,000 crore of vitamin supplements and other immunity boosters between June 2020 to May 2021.

Numbers don’t lie

The data from the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) shows that between June 2020 to May 2021, Indians bought Rs 1,220 crore worth of antiviral drug Favipiravir and Rs 833 crore of Remdesivir. The sale of the antibiotic drug Azithromycin stood at Rs 992 crore, 38% higher on-year.

Indians bought immunity-boosting vitamin drugs and mineral supplements worth Rs 14,587 crore about 20% more. Sales of vitamin D were also recorded at Rs 817 crore, about 40% higher.

Zinc supplements were sold nearly three times more at Rs 183 crore. Sales of plain vitamin C also nearly quadrupled.

However, the data does not include the sales of drugs that pharma companies directly sell to the hospitals and other institutions. This indicates the sale of these products is much higher than recorded.

Rise in awareness

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, consumers have shown more interest in buying products that will help in boosting their immunity levels.

From chyavanprash, honey, and turmeric to ayurvedic juices, breakfast mixes, and vitamin-enriched cooking oil, Indian food companies are aggressively innovating to meet the growing demand for immunity-building food products.