A Comprehensive Focus onThe HomoeopathicMedicine Industry2025
The Role of Homoeopathic Drug Industry in increasing the Market Size of Homoeopathy in India
Introduction Homoeopathy has been an integral part of India’s healthcare ecosystem, providing a safe, effective, and holistic approach to treatment. Over the years, the demand for homoeopathic medicines has grown steadily, reflecting a shift in consumer preference towards natural and alternative therapies, especially post-covid. However, the true potential of homoeopathy remains untapped, and expanding its market size requires a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders.
The homoeopathic drug industry plays a crucial role in driving this expansion by ensuring the availability of high-quality medicines, fostering research and innovation, and enhancing patient trust. However, the industry’s growth is influenced by several key players, including the Ministry of Ayush, industry leaders, supply chain holders (forwarding agents, distributors, dealers, and retailers), homoeopathic doctors, and educational institutions. Each of these stakeholders contributes uniquely to strengthening the market presence of homoeopathy in India.
The Ministry of Ayush has in been instrumental formulating regulations, policies, and promotional initiatives to support the homoeopathic sector. Industry and leaders manufacturers drive innovation, maintain quality standards, and increase accessibility to homoeopathic medicines. Supply chain stakeholders ensure the seamless distribution of medicines, making them available across urban and rural markets. Homoeopathic doctors play a pivotal role in patient awareness and treatment adoption, while educational institutions contribute by producing skilled professionals and advancing research. This article explores how these stakeholders collectively contribute to expanding the homoeopathy market in India, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced in the process.
It further discusses strategic approaches to overcome these challenges and sustain the growth momentum gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ayush Ministry
Ayush Ministry Based on an analysis of the Ayush budget allocations to various institutes under the Ministry of AYUSH for the years 2022–23 to 2024–25, it is heartening to observe the continued support and recognition that the homoeopathic
sector has received. The Ministry’s commitment to holistic healthcare is evident from the consistent funding and institutional backing provided to all streams under AYUSH, including homoeopathy. Homoeopathy has been kept well within the framework of national integrative health development, receiving a commendable 19% increase in allocation during 2023 24. This shows that the government acknowledges homoeopathy’s role in the healthcare landscape and continues to invest in its development.
Institutions like the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and the National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH) have been consistently supported, enabling them to expand their research, education, and service delivery capabilities. While the budget increment in 2024–25 may appear modest, it reflects a stable foundation from which the sector can grow further. It is now upon the industry and allied stakeholders to deepen their engagement with the Ministry, articulating their evolving needs and opportunities. The Ministry has demonstrated its openness and responsiveness in the past, and continued, structured interactions can ensure timely support for research, infrastructure enhancement, and public health initiatives.
Going forward, the homoeopathic industry—along with academic and professional bodies—needs to proactively build upon this supportive platform by working closely with policymakers. Though it regularly engages with the Ministry and the policy makers, it needs to be further fostered. Regular dialogues, well-structured proposals, and collaborative visioning will help align national priorities with the sector’s growth trajectory. By highlighting homoeopathy’s contributions to preventive care, affordability, export growth, and community wellness, stakeholders can reinforce the case for continued and even enhanced support. Together, this synergy between the government and the industry can elevate homoeopathy’s role within India’s integrative healthcare mission.
Industry
The financial growth trajectory of the top five players (Source: ROC Data) in the Indian homoeopathic drug industry over the past four years reveals a clear tapering trend. While companies reported healthy double-digit growth in FY 2020–21 (with an average growth of 31%), the subsequent years saw a steady decline—dropping to 10% in FY 2021–22, 9% in FY 2022–23, and just 6% in FY 2023 24. This downward curve reflects a saturation or stagnation in the market, despite India being one of the largest consumers and producers of homoeopathic medicines globally. The overall industry momentum appears to be flattening, which is a matter of concern for all stakeholders.
A deeper look at this trend indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic initially provided a unique growth opportunity for the homoeopathic sector. During the peak of the pandemic, homoeopathic remedies such as Arsenicum Album 30 gained unprecedented national attention through public distribution campaigns and state-level health advisories. This surge in popularity translated into a temporary boom in sales, expanding the consumer base and bringing homoeopathy into mainstream health conversations. However, post-pandemic, the sector appears to be reverting to pre COVID normalcy. The challenge now lies in sustaining the visibility and trust gained during that period. Without structured follow-through in the form of ongoing public engagement, research-backed communication, and policy-level integration, the momentum is being lost, as seen in the declining growth figures.
The way forward calls for a concerted and collaborative approach by all industry stakeholders to institutionalize the post-COVID gains. One effective strategy could be a collective marketing initiative, as followed by other industry campaigns.. Industry players, through associations, can contribute a small percentage (e.g., 0.1%) of their profits to create a dedicated promotional fund. This can f inance sustained national awareness campaigns on the role of homoeopathy in immunity, chronic disease management, and integrative health. Additionally, the industry should proactively conduct mass medical camps, school health drives, corporate wellness tie-ups, and door-to-door health outreach programs—particularly targeting the new consumer base developed during the pandemic. Collaborating with AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres and pushing for inclusion in national health missions can further anchor homoeopathy within public health frameworks. In essence, the COVID-19 phase opened a door— now it is up to the industry to keep it open and transform that temporary surge into lasting growth.
Equally important is the industry’s commitment to upgrading its internal capabilities, particularly in the areas of quality standards and research and development (R&D). As the homoeopathy sector aims to convert heightened public interest into long-term trust, investing in and robust scientific world-class validation manufacturing practices becomes essential. In this context, the government’s recent regulatory move to classify all new homoeopathic formulations under the ‘new homoeopathic medicine’ category is a welcome and forward-looking step. It reinforces the need for scientific rigor, discourages ad hoc product launches, and sets the stage for more structured innovation within the sector. By aligning with these regulatory expectations, the industry can enhance its global credibility, support regulatory harmonization, and develop a pipeline of evidence backed formulations that meet both domestic and international healthcare demands.
Distributors
Distributors have emerged as one of the most crucial and organized links in the homoeopathic supply chain in recent years. Their evolving professionalism, deeper market penetration, and proactive approach in of ensuring timely availability products across both urban and rural areas have significantly contributed to the growth and accessibility of homoeopathy in India. Many leading distributors now operate with tech-enabled inventory systems, streamlined logistics, and close coordination with manufacturers and retailers— enhancing supply efficiency and product visibility. Their contribution deserves commendation, especially in ensuring continuity of access during the COVID-19 pandemic and the swift post-pandemic recovery. Going forward, distributors can play a more direct role in public awareness by supporting local health camps, branding initiatives at
pharmacy counters, and educational outreach at community events. They can also act as valuable partners in organizing homoeopathy-themed wellness days, collaborating with doctors and retailers to educate the public about homoeopathic remedies and their benefits—helping not just in distribution, but in expanding the very reach and relevance of homoeopathy. There is a big opportunity for all homoeopathic distributors and dealers to grow their business. A new policy now allows homoeopathic wholesale dealers to supply to allopathic retail shops. This means they can now sell to many more shops and reach new customers. Some homoeopathic medicines are becoming popular and used as over-the-counter (OTC) products. So, the demand is expected to grow fast. Dealers can now expand the customer base beyond their regular homoeopathic buyers.
Doctors
Doctors have always been the cornerstone of homoeopathy’s credibility and acceptance, and their role during the COVID-19 pandemic deserves special appreciation. In the face of uncertainty and limited conventional treatment options, homoeopathic practitioners stood at the forefront—offering preventive care, immune-boosting remedies, and symptom management that helped countless patients. This visibility not only strengthened public trust in homoeopathy but also demonstrated its potential as a reliable system of care during public health crises. In recent years, a noticeable and welcome trend has been the approach adopted by many homoeopathic doctors. They are more proactive in issuing written prescriptions to patients—an important practice that fosters transparency, builds patient confidence, and empowers individuals with knowledge of their treatment. As a result, patients are better equipped to manage minor day-to-day ailments on their own, particularly when they are familiar with first-aid remedies like Arnica for injuries, Nux Vomica for indigestion, or Belladonna for sudden fevers. This habit not only enhances patient compliance but also facilitates the organic spread of homoeopathy within families and communities.
Educational
Institutes Educational institutes the backbone of homoeopathy’s future are in India. Beyond imparting medical knowledge, they are nurturing grounds for clinical competence, research mindset, and professional values. Many colleges have already made notable progress in infrastructure and clinical exposure, aligning education with modern healthcare needs. To further amplify their impact, institutes should expand into areas like clinical management guidance, personality development, communication skills, and public engagement. Initiatives such as student-led medical camps, health education drives, and collaborative events with industry can significantly raise awareness and trust in homoeopathy. By evolving into centers of holistic training and public outreach, educational institutes can play a vital role in strengthening homoeopathy’s relevance and reach across the country.
Conclusion
India’s homoeopathic sector is uniquely positioned at the cusp of transformative growth. With widespread grassroots acceptance, policy-level encouragement, and a legacy of safe, affordable care, the foundation has never been stronger. The post-COVID surge in public interest and the recent policy shift allowing sales through allopathic retail chains have further expanded the horizon for growth. Every stakeholder—from the Ministry of Ayush and educational institutions to manufacturers, and distributors, doctors—has made vital contributions to this progress.
Now, the focus must shift from potential to performance. To unlock the next phase of expansion, the industry must adopt a shared vision: invest boldly in scientific research, elevate quality standards, and institutionalize collective marketing and public education. Equally important is empowering the supply chain, equipping future professionals with broader skill sets, and deepening engagement with policymakers.
The opportunity is real, the momentum is ours—and the time is now. With unity, vision, and purpose, the homoeopathic drug industry can not only increase its market share but also emerge as a cornerstone of integrative and preventive healthcare in India’s future.
Author:
Mr. Ashish Kumar
B. Tech, MBA (UK)
Executive Vice President – Asia
Pacific
Schwabe Group
