In the global landscape, few objectives are held as important as the right to health. In pursuit of the same, SDG 3 becomes essential in public discourse. The right to health is a global priority and central to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. This goal, part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, encompasses targets like reducing maternal mortality, combating epidemics, and strengthening healthcare systems. Health is essential for sustainable development, contributing to productivity, resilience, and innovation. Achieving SDG 3, however, requires more than policy—it demands strong healthcare infrastructure and a robust pharmaceutical sector capable of delivering affordable, quality medicines.

Pharmaceutical companies are vital to global health, driving innovation in disease prevention and treatment. Their role is crucial in advancing medical technologies and sustaining healthcare systems. Drug development, though essential, is expensive and time-consuming.

Despite this, public discourse has largely overlooked the financial sector’s potential to support health goals. Capital markets can be powerful allies in advancing SDG 3. By investing in mission-driven and innovative pharmaceutical companies, both institutional and individual investors can contribute to global health outcomes, while aligning their investments with social responsibility. Investment in pharma aligns capital with a purpose, driving public health while giving wealth to investors.

Integrating Money and Medicine

Investing in pharmaceutical companies can be a good way of making money while also contributing to a noble cause. To gain a better understanding of this, let us understand some fundamentals of market and investment. A good investment option depends on several factors such as purpose of investment, risk appetite of an investor, duration of investment, and the Key Performance Indicators of the stocks.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio basically tells us the price of a stock vis-à-vis the returns that an investor earns on the same. A high P/E ratio generally indicates that the company is making good profits and enjoys strong investor confidence. It can also reflect greater growth expectations. Investors who expect sizeable profits on their investment generally go for companies with high P/E value. However, one must also keep in mind that stocks with high P/E values might also be volatile, leading to risky investments. As such, investors with a high risk appetite choose to invest in such stock.

Pharmaceutical Leaders Across Global Exchanges

The table below lists pharma firms with high P/E ratios. The P//E ratios given are 12-month figures. The article does not promote any stock purchase; it is written solely for educational purposes.

The stock exchanges selected are some major financial centres in the world, while also representing all the major regions of the globe. The companies selected are primarily listed on that stock exchange, meaning that it is their main stock exchange, and is likely where they were first listed.

• Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (Brazil): Company is listed primarily on the Brasil Bolsa Balcao Exchange, typically called the B3 exchange of Brazil. It is a Japanese pharmaceutical company that conducts research and development as well as manufacturing of various pharmaceutical products in Japan and outside. The market capitalization of the company is US$ 46.17 Billion. The current P/E ratio of the firm is 63.49.
• Natural Capsules Ltd. (India): Natural Capsules Ltd. is a manufacturer of hard gelatin and cellulose capsule shells in India and abroad. These shells are used in manufacturing capsule medicines. the firm is primarily listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India and has a market cap size of US$ 26.8 Million. Its P/E ratio is 355.11.
• Apontis Pharma AG (Germany): This firm engages in manufacturing of medicines for cardiovascular diseases. Its primary listing is in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. While its market cap is US$ 106 Million, the P/E ratio stands at 123.25.
• HBM Holdings Ltd (Hong Kong): HBM Holdings is engaged in research and manufacturing of antibody therapeutics. It is listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The market capitalization of the firm is US$ 914.8, and the P/E ratio is 278.66.
• Ascendis Health Ltd. (South Africa): Ascendis Health is a South African pharmaceutical company that focuses on manufacturing of micronutrient supplements and homeopathy products. Primarily listed on Johannesberg Stock Exchange, its market cap is US$ 29.8, and P/E ratio is 29.76.
• Niox Group PLC (UK): Niox group specializes in the development and production of asthma related medical devices, such portable monitors. It is primarily listed on London Stock Exchange. The market capitalization is US$ 388 Million and the P/E ratio is 86.3.
• Incyte Corporation (USA): Incyte Corporation is a multinational engaged in development of therapeutics in fields such as hematology and oncology. It is primarily listed on the NASDAQ exchange of the United States. Its market capitalization is US$ 13.14 Billion. The P/E ratio is 641.71.
• Solara Active Pharma Sciences Ltd. (India): The company is primarily listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India. It is a manufacturer of Active Pharma Ingredients (API) and has business presence in various countries. Its market cap is valued at US$ 350 Million. The PE ratio is a massive 4870, , which signifies high investor confidence.
• AbbVie Inc (USA): This USA pharma giant works in the field of developing and manufacturing medicines to a range of diseases. Lites primarily on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), its market cap and P/E ratio are  US$ 331.34 Billion and 81.11 respectively.
• Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corporation (Saudi Arabia): SPIMACO manufactures various pharmaceutical products and operates mainly in the West Asian countries. It is listed primarily on the Saudi Stock Exchange, also known as Tadawul. With a market cap of US$ 786 Million, the P/E ratio is 49.42.
• Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (China): Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Kangmei Pharma works in the field of manufacturing and sale of Chinese herbal medicine. The company has market capitalization worth US$ 3.99 Billion. The P/E ratio is 2970.
• Guizhou Bailing Group Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (China): The company is primarily listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China. Its market capitalization stands at US$ 1.04 Billion, while the P/E ratio is 1340.
• Haw Par Corporation Ltd (Singapore): Haw Par Corporation is a manufacturer of healthcare products such as topical analgesics, and has a prominent presence in the ASEAN countries. Its primary listing is on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). With a market cap of US$ 2.18 Billion, its P/E ratio stands at 12.27.
• Biome Australia Ltd (Australia): Biome Australia deals with development and production of biotherapeutics and is primarily listed on Sydney Stock Exchange. Its market capitalization and P/E ratio are US$ 75.43 Million and 463.8 respectively.
• Renascience Inc (Japan): Renascience Inc works in the field of development and sale of medical devices in Japan. Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange, its market cap is US$ 245 Million, while the P/E ratio is 250.3.
• DRI Healthcare Trust (Canada): The company is primarily listed on Toronto stock exchange. It works in the field of royalty monetization of pharmaceutical products. Its market cap and P/E ratio are US$ 583 Million and 363.29 respectively.

A Healthier World Is a Smarter Investment

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

In a world reeling from pandemics, epidemics, and uneven access to healthcare, investing in health is no longer a moral imperative – it’s an economic imperative. SDG 3 provides the global direction towards universal and integrated health coverage. Yet, public policy cannot shoulder it alone.

Financial markets—and the pharmaceutical firms within them—hold the keys to quicker progress. By investing in companies that lead in profitability and size, investors aren’t merely pursuing returns – they’re investing in the world’s health infrastructure.

This is the point where societal good and financial opportunity converge. The cure for many of the world’s ailments may well be traded on the stock exchange.