Rouble fallout: Indian pharma companies need a cure to beat emerging crisis

Depreciation of the Russian currency poses a risk to the profitability of Indian pharma companies such as Dr Reddy's, Glenmark and Ranbaxy. Russia, a key market for these companies, contributes 5% of overall Indian pharma exports.
RussiaCIS accounts for 10% of overall sales of companies like Dr Reddy's, Glenmark, Ranbaxy , IPCA and Torrent. In the September quarter, they began reporting that the Russian currency devaluation was hurting business.This could worsen.
Political crisis in Russia and weakening crude prices have resulted in sharp rouble depreciation against the US dollar (83% since March 2014). Analysts say an unchecked rouble slide would hurt profitability, especially if rupee holds stable (versus USD).
Dr Reddy's and Glenmark could take a hit as RussiaCIS constitutes 9-15% of their total revenues. But the impact on Torrent and IPCA would be nominal, owing to lower sales RussiaCIS, Rajat Rajgarhia, MD institutional equities, Motilal Oswal Securities said. Ranbaxy's 15-month earnings (Jan 2013-March 2014) from Russia was Rs 650 crore. But some compa nies may escape the rouble depreciation consequence net-net, as their loss will be offset by rupee depreciation (against the dollar).
But some analysts say the impact may not be large. “It's unlikely to impact Dr Reddy's profitability much as it earns only 15% of its sales (FY2014) from Russia, says Sarabjit Kour Nangra, VP research (pharma), Angel Broking.