Indian pharmaceutical companies, especially those from Karnataka, are finding pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan a safe place to supply pharmaceuticals, thanks to its lucrativeness. Leading the fray are Ray Laboratories (RL) Fine Chemicals, Himalaya Drug Company, Bal Pharma and Biocon. In its drive to make its presence felt in the region, Biocon had early this year granted an exclusive license to Ferozsons Laboratories Ltd, the first local pharmaceutical company to be listed on the Pakistan stock exchange, for marketing BIOMAb EGFR in Pakistan.
Reliable sources indicated that the Indian pharmaceutical companies have earned a name in the market and multinational companies are hell bent on sourcing orders from these companies largely due to taken up by the product range, quality and time line delivery schedules.
For RL Fine Chem, a psychotropic bulk drug major, supplies to Pakistan are important, as it will help the company to increase its market share in the region. The company is much sought after for its supplies because it has a current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant US FDA approved facility, Department for Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) approved R&D lab, with a certificate of suitability in Common Technical Document (CTD) format serving US, Europe and Japanese markets, said Anjan K Roy, managing director, RL Fine Chem. Apart, the company has an ISO 9001 certificate.
As of now, Pakistan's anti psychotropic segment is ruled by branded formulations from Lundbeck, Novartis, Roche, Abbot, and Pfizer. In this scenario, RL Fine has a big role to play as a crucial supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the MNCs, which have manufacturing facilities in the region. With the current scenario showing positive signs of growth, RL Fine Chemicals is making efforts to become a conventional supplier in Pakistan.
Himalaya Drug Company
Himalaya Drug Company, one of the herbal healthcare majors, intends to further increase its presence in the Pakistan market with its range of products. The region holds immense potential for the company for both its pharmaceutical and personal products.
The company began its exports to Pakistan in 2003 and has presence in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The company enjoys a separate distribution network for its pharmaceutical and personal care products. While the company's pharmaceutical products are mainly distributed through pharmacies, its personal care products are available in leading supermarkets and cosmetic outlets. Speaking to Chronicle Pharmabiz, Ravi Prasad, executive director, apprised of the company's plans to increase its presence in the region through more product introductions.
Currently, Himalaya Drug Company supplies select products from its pharmaceuticals, including Liv 52, Cystone, Rumalaya Forte and Septilin to Pakistan, while it markets the entire range of personal care products in the region.
Bal Pharma
Well aware that Pakistan is in need of bulk drugs, with its huge bulk drugs, Bal Pharma, a mid-cap pharma major, is moving heaven and earth to augment its presence in Pakistan. The company has good understanding of the market as it has been in the region for around nine years.
"Right now we are the major provider of APIs to leading multinational companies and we are looking for a direct presence to increase our sales in Pakistan, said Shailesh Siroya, managing director, Bal Pharma.