fincash logo SOLUTIONS
EXPLORE FUNDS
CALCULATORS
LOG IN
SIGN UP

Fincash » Mutual Funds India » Pharma Sector Shining in the Midst of Coronavirus

Pharma Sector Shining in the Midst of Coronavirus

Updated on April 27, 2025 , 577 views

Coronavirus has impacted the global Economy, due to which the domestic equity faced a huge decline. Most stocks have been hit low records. The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty had their worst run since the 2nd week of March. On 18th March, Sensex ended at 28,896 points by falling 1709 points while Nifty failed below 8500 points.

pharma sector in coronavirus

Pharma, the safe haven for Investors

In the midst of the mayhem, the pharma sector looks less affected as it is profiting handsomely. Investors hunting for safe havens in the ongoing turmoil can consider Investing in the pharma sector as it is showing an improving trend in Earnings.

In recent years, the pharmaceutical sector has augmented as the new listing of hospitals and diagnostic companies have been added more to the basket. The government policies and rising Income levels are giving robust growth in this sector.

The pharmaceutical sector was valued at US$33 billion in 2017. In 2018, the Indian pharmaceutical exports stood at US$17.27 billion and reached US$19.14 billion in 2019. The pharmaceutical Industry is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 22.4% by 2020.

Indian companies received 304 Abbreviated New Drug Application from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017. The pharma sector will expand and will reach US$55 billion by 2025.

The pharmaceuticals exports bulk drugs, intermediates, drug formulations, biologicals, herbal products and so on. India’s biotechnology industry compromising bio-agriculture, bio-industry, bio-pharmaceuticals and so on is expected to grow at the moderate rate of around 30% a year and it is expected to reach US$ 100 billion in the coming years.

Factors for Investing in Pharma Sector

The pharma sector provides several opportunities for investments and trade due to the following factors:

  • India’s huge population is an excellent centre for clinical trials.
  • India has cost-effective sources for getting a hold for generic drugs, especially the drugs that are going off their patents in the coming years.
  • India has excellent laboratories with world-class facilities. The laboratories specialize in the development of cost-efficient drug Manufacturing technology.
  • The country is self-sufficient for the production of bulk drugs. Almost 70% of the requirements for the formulation of drugs is available in India.
  • The Indian pharmaceutical industry is attracting foreign investors, which is increasing the trade balance in the pharma sector
  • The country is a fast-growing biotech industry, it offers potential in the international Market. Also, it has made the pharma sector an attractive industry to make investments.

Best Pharma Sector Funds to Invest in India 2025

FundNAVNet Assets (Cr)3 MO (%)6 MO (%)1 YR (%)3 YR (%)5 YR (%)2024 (%)
SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund Growth ₹420.235
↓ -2.22
₹3,6113.61.220.623.924.442.2
Nippon India Pharma Fund Growth ₹496.974
↑ 0.38
₹8,0814.7-2.115.42022.534
UTI Healthcare Fund Growth ₹270.173
↑ 0.03
₹1,0421.4-3.220.220.221.942.9
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 29 Apr 25

1. SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund

(Erstwhile SBI Pharma Fund)

To provide the investors maximum growth opportunity through equity investments in stocks of growth oriented sectors of the economy.

SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund is a Equity - Sectoral fund was launched on 31 Dec 04. It is a fund with High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 15.6% since its launch.  Ranked 34 in Sectoral category.  Return for 2024 was 42.2% , 2023 was 38.2% and 2022 was -6% .

Below is the key information for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund

SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
Growth
Launch Date 31 Dec 04
NAV (29 Apr 25) ₹420.235 ↓ -2.22   (-0.53 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹3,611 on 31 Mar 25
Category Equity - Sectoral
AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited
Rating
Risk High
Expense Ratio 2.09
Sharpe Ratio 0.77
Information Ratio 0.67
Alpha Ratio 2.51
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 500
Exit Load 0-15 Days (0.5%),15 Days and above(NIL)

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
30 Apr 20₹10,000
30 Apr 21₹15,282
30 Apr 22₹15,865
30 Apr 23₹16,168
30 Apr 24₹24,854

SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833
Invest Now

Returns for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 29 Apr 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 2.1%
3 Month 3.6%
6 Month 1.2%
1 Year 20.6%
3 Year 23.9%
5 Year 24.4%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 15.6%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 42.2%
2023 38.2%
2022 -6%
2021 20.1%
2020 65.8%
2019 -0.5%
2018 -9.9%
2017 2.1%
2016 -14%
2015 27.1%
Fund Manager information for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
NameSinceTenure
Tanmaya Desai1 Jun 1113.84 Yr.

Data below for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund as on 31 Mar 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Health Care90.36%
Basic Materials6.6%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash3.04%
Equity96.96%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 17 | SUNPHARMA
13%₹486 Cr2,800,000
Max Healthcare Institute Ltd Ordinary Shares (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 21 | MAXHEALTH
7%₹241 Cr2,200,000
Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 12 | DIVISLAB
6%₹217 Cr375,000
Cipla Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 16 | 500087
5%₹173 Cr1,200,000
Lupin Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 23 | 500257
5%₹170 Cr840,000
Lonza Group Ltd ADR (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 24 | LZAGY
4%₹158 Cr300,000
Mankind Pharma Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 23 | MANKIND
4%₹136 Cr560,000
Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 22 | 543308
4%₹134 Cr2,100,000
Jupiter Life Line Hospitals Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 23 | JLHL
4%₹128 Cr800,000
Ami Organics Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 24 | 543349
3%₹122 Cr500,000

2. Nippon India Pharma Fund

The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate consistent returns by investing in equity and equity related or fixed income securities of Pharma and other associated companies.

Nippon India Pharma Fund is a Equity - Sectoral fund was launched on 5 Jun 04. It is a fund with High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 20.5% since its launch.  Ranked 35 in Sectoral category.  Return for 2024 was 34% , 2023 was 39.2% and 2022 was -9.9% .

Below is the key information for Nippon India Pharma Fund

Nippon India Pharma Fund
Growth
Launch Date 5 Jun 04
NAV (30 Apr 25) ₹496.974 ↑ 0.38   (0.08 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,081 on 31 Mar 25
Category Equity - Sectoral
AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd.
Rating
Risk High
Expense Ratio 1.88
Sharpe Ratio 0.35
Information Ratio -0.49
Alpha Ratio -4.46
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 100
Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL)

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
30 Apr 20₹10,000
30 Apr 21₹15,389
30 Apr 22₹15,981
30 Apr 23₹15,783
30 Apr 24₹23,851

Nippon India Pharma Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹530,691.
Net Profit of ₹230,691
Invest Now

Returns for Nippon India Pharma Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 29 Apr 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 3.2%
3 Month 4.7%
6 Month -2.1%
1 Year 15.4%
3 Year 20%
5 Year 22.5%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 20.5%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 34%
2023 39.2%
2022 -9.9%
2021 23.9%
2020 66.4%
2019 1.7%
2018 3.6%
2017 7.6%
2016 -10.6%
2015 19.4%
Fund Manager information for Nippon India Pharma Fund
NameSinceTenure
Sailesh Raj Bhan1 Apr 0520.01 Yr.
Kinjal Desai25 May 186.86 Yr.

Data below for Nippon India Pharma Fund as on 31 Mar 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Health Care99.46%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash0.54%
Equity99.46%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 09 | SUNPHARMA
13%₹1,085 Cr6,256,349
↓ -300,000
Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 12 | DIVISLAB
9%₹750 Cr1,298,808
Lupin Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 08 | 500257
7%₹588 Cr2,898,126
↓ -200,000
Cipla Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 May 08 | 500087
6%₹462 Cr3,200,000
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 20 | APOLLOHOSP
5%₹429 Cr648,795
Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 11 | DRREDDY
5%₹419 Cr3,662,170
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 22 | GLAXO
4%₹291 Cr1,011,921
Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 21 | 543350
4%₹285 Cr2,831,564
↓ -11,667
Abbott India Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 May 11 | ABBOTINDIA
3%₹279 Cr90,933
↓ -5,052
Medplus Health Services Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 22 | 543427
3%₹276 Cr3,627,277

3. UTI Healthcare Fund

(Erstwhile UTI Pharma & Healthcare Fund)

The Investment objective of the Scheme is capital appreciation through investments in equities and equity related instruments of the Pharma & Healthcare sectors.

UTI Healthcare Fund is a Equity - Sectoral fund was launched on 28 Jun 99. It is a fund with High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 14.8% since its launch.  Ranked 40 in Sectoral category.  Return for 2024 was 42.9% , 2023 was 38.2% and 2022 was -12.3% .

Below is the key information for UTI Healthcare Fund

UTI Healthcare Fund
Growth
Launch Date 28 Jun 99
NAV (30 Apr 25) ₹270.173 ↑ 0.03   (0.01 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,042 on 31 Mar 25
Category Equity - Sectoral
AMC UTI Asset Management Company Ltd
Rating
Risk High
Expense Ratio 2.38
Sharpe Ratio 0.66
Information Ratio -0.23
Alpha Ratio 1.04
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 500
Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL)

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
30 Apr 20₹10,000
30 Apr 21₹15,214
30 Apr 22₹15,571
30 Apr 23₹15,015
30 Apr 24₹22,423

UTI Healthcare Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹518,033.
Net Profit of ₹218,033
Invest Now

Returns for UTI Healthcare Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 29 Apr 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 0.7%
3 Month 1.4%
6 Month -3.2%
1 Year 20.2%
3 Year 20.2%
5 Year 21.9%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 14.8%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 42.9%
2023 38.2%
2022 -12.3%
2021 19.1%
2020 67.4%
2019 1.2%
2018 -7.5%
2017 6.2%
2016 -9.7%
2015 12.4%
Fund Manager information for UTI Healthcare Fund
NameSinceTenure
Kamal Gada2 May 222.92 Yr.

Data below for UTI Healthcare Fund as on 31 Mar 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Health Care98.03%
Basic Materials1.18%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash0.79%
Equity99.21%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 06 | SUNPHARMA
12%₹121 Cr700,000
↓ -25,000
Cipla Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 03 | 500087
6%₹61 Cr420,000
↓ -44,949
Ajanta Pharma Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 17 | 532331
4%₹46 Cr174,885
↓ -13,514
Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 18 | DRREDDY
4%₹45 Cr396,000
↓ -36,608
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | 532296
4%₹42 Cr275,250
↓ -34,061
Procter & Gamble Health Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 20 | PGHL
4%₹38 Cr74,000
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 21 | APOLLOHOSP
4%₹37 Cr56,271
Fortis Healthcare Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 20 | 532843
3%₹32 Cr465,000
↓ -92,701
Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 17 | DIVISLAB
3%₹32 Cr56,000
↓ -5,480
Alkem Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 May 21 | ALKEM
3%₹31 Cr63,840

Conclusion

Medical spending in India has projected to grow 9-12 per cent over the next five years. Further, the growth in domestic sales may increase because of coronavirus. To add more, in such a volatile phase, there are a few Mutual Funds that are performing well.

Speedy introduction of generic or new drugs into the market are in focus and it has expected to benefit the Indian Pharmaceutical companies.

Disclaimer:
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
How helpful was this page ?
POST A COMMENT