India Clinical Nutrition Market Analysis

India Clinical Nutrition Market Executive Summary

The India Clinical Nutrition Market is at around $557.8 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $977.2 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.34% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

Clinical nutrition is the application of nutrition principles to promote health and prevent disease in individuals, particularly in a healthcare setting. It involves assessing patients' nutritional needs, creating personalized nutrition plans, and implementing evidence-based interventions to improve health outcomes. Clinical nutrition centres on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of nutritional changes in patients linked to chronic diseases and conditions primarily in health care. Clinical in this sense refers to the management of patients, including not only outpatients at clinics and in private practice, but also inpatients in hospitals. It incorporates primarily the scientific fields of nutrition and dietetics. Furthermore, clinical nutrition aims to maintain a healthy energy balance, while also providing sufficient amounts of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals to patients.

Clinical malnutrition refers to a condition that can be treated with clinical intervention by using specialized nutrients that are considered proper medications rather than as supplements. Clinical nutrition products are useful in maintaining the patient's health and enable the improvement of the body's metabolic system by providing adequate supplements, such as minerals, vitamins, and other supplements. The clinical nutrition sector is undergoing a transformation fuelled by progress in medical research and technology. Key trends such as innovative formulations, personalized nutrition solutions, and the use of bioactive ingredients are emerging. Manufacturers are dedicating resources to R&D to produce products that not only fulfil fundamental nutritional requirements but also provide added health advantages. This emphasis on innovation is fostering competition among industry participants, resulting in a constant flow of new products and therapies tailored to various patient demographics.

India continues to face a significant burden of malnutrition, with high rates of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and stunting among children. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 35.5% of children under five years of age are underweight, and 32.1% are stunted. The major drivers of Clinical Nutrition industry in India are, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and metabolic disorders, aging population, increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition for health, product innovations and technological advancements, government initiatives and rising healthcare expenditure, rising incidence of malnutrition especially in paediatric patients.

The industry is primarily dominated by players such as Sun Pharmaceuticals, Zydus Wellness, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Zeon Lifesciences, Nestle, Mead Johnson & Company, LLC among others.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Rising Incidence of Malnutrition: India continues to face a significant burden of malnutrition, with high rates of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and stunting among children. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 35.5% of children under five years of age are underweight, and 32.1% are stunted. The need to address this public health issue is a major driver for the clinical nutrition market.

Increasing Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, is on the rise in India. In 2020, the prevalence of diabetes among adults was 11.8%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 29.8%. The demand for clinical nutrition products to manage and prevent these lifestyle-related conditions is fuelling market growth.

Growing Awareness of Nutritional Needs: There is an increasing awareness among the Indian population about the importance of proper nutrition for overall health and well-being. According to a survey, 77% of Indians consider nutrition and diet as important factors for their health. This heightened health consciousness is contributing to the expansion of the clinical nutrition market.

Market Restraints

Limited Access and Affordability: The high cost of specialized clinical nutrition products, coupled with limited availability in rural and remote areas, can restrict access and affordability for a significant portion of the population. Around 68.8% of India's population lives in rural areas, where access to healthcare and nutrition products may be limited.

Lack of Healthcare Infrastructure: The uneven distribution of healthcare facilities and resources across India, particularly in rural areas, can hinder the reach and adoption of clinical nutrition products. There are only 0.9 hospital beds per 1,000 population in India, which is lower than the WHO recommendation of 3.5 beds per 1,000 population.

Preference for Traditional Remedies: The deep-rooted cultural and traditional beliefs in India, which favour the use of Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems, can sometimes overshadow the adoption of clinical nutrition products. Around 70% of the Indian population relies on traditional medicine systems for their primary healthcare needs.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

Clinical nutrition regulation and reimbursement in India are managed through a complex system involving multiple governmental bodies and regulatory frameworks. The primary regulatory authority is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The FSSAI oversees the regulation of food products, including clinical nutrition formulations, under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), under the Directorate General of Health Services, regulates nutritional products classified as drugs or nutraceuticals. Clinical nutrition products may be categorized as foods for special dietary uses, foods for special medical purposes, or nutraceuticals, each with specific regulatory requirements. The approval process varies based on classification, with drug-categorized products requiring more rigorous clinical trials and safety assessments.

Reimbursement for clinical nutrition in India is fragmented, with limited coverage under government health schemes. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), India's flagship health insurance scheme, provides some coverage for nutritional support in hospitalized patients. However, outpatient nutritional therapies are often not covered, leading to significant out-of-pocket expenses for patients. Private health insurance plans may offer more comprehensive coverage for clinical nutrition, but these vary widely.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and professional bodies like the Indian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition play crucial roles in developing guidelines and influencing policies related to clinical nutrition.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the India Clinical Nutrition Market:

• Zeon Lifesciences
• Sun Pharmaceuticals
• Zydus Wellness
• Bionova Lifesciences
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
• Cipla Nutrition
• Abbott Nutrition
• Danone
• Nestle
• Baxter International Inc.
• Mead Johnson & Company, LLC