The Herbal Division of Anglo French Drugs & Industries will have all its Ayurvedic formulations only in tablet form, not in capsules. The division prefers to adopt a total herbal image for its range of products.
"The tablets are manufactured in earthy colours-green and brown, Dr. Sanjay Advani, general manager, herbal division, Anglo French Drug Industries Limited told Pharmabiz.com. "Apart from tablets, our formulations are either syrups or ointments."
The division, which was set-up in 2001, has currently 16 products marketed via the prescription route in four states in the country- Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The strategy of the division has been to study the market potential in each state. Although the company is Bangalore-based, the division is expected to present the entire range in Karnataka by next week. In December 2003, the products are expected to enter Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Out of the 16 products in the fray, Hepax (hepto-protective), M2M (women's hormone regulation), Sucal (herbo mineral for osteoporosis) L-style (an anti-oxidant), Suderma (allergies) and ASAP (an aphrodisiac) are the fastest growing in the range. With ASAP alone company earnings were Rs.50 lakh in six months and it is expected to generate sales to the tune of Rs.1 crore this month.
Hepax, ASAP, Suderma and Sucal also been exported to Italy since 2002.
The division has utilised the facilities of loan licensees in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to manufacture 15 products and only one product is manufactured at its plant in Bangalore.
Last month two products - Bipril (hypertension) and Sulip (cholesterol) were introduced. The products are competing against allopathic drugs. However, the division expects to achieve a sales target of Rs. 1.5 crore. The two will be sold at almost the same price of the allopathic drugs. Bipril can score over allopathic drugs because it sans side effects. Sulip is competing with the statins in the market and the clinical trial reports have proved that it can reduce the levels of Triglycerides, said Dr. Advani.
In 2004, the division is expected to launch another five products (Leucorrhoea, Galactagul, prostrate gland, female frigidity and URTI - upper respiratory tract infection) that are under development. URTI has been filed for patent in India.
While the total turnover of Anglo French is Rs. 60 crore, the herbal division contributes Rs. 3.5 crore and revenues to the tune of Rs. 5 crore are expected for this financial year end, said Dr. Advani.
The main strengths of the division are its products, quality and investment at regular intervals that helps to introduce products at the right intervals.
There are around 10 players in the herbal segment for human health in India. The well-known companies are Himalaya, Charak, Dabur and Zandu. The presence of regional players like Natural Remedies, Surya Labs and Ban Labs in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat-based Vasu Pharma that is doing well in Punjab cannot be over looked, he said.
The division has a 64 sales force who operate in four states. Plans are underway to increase the strength to 100 in December 2003 and 200 by 2004 end.
At the six-acre Anglo French Herbal Plantations at Peenya in the outskirts of Bangalore herbs are grown for captive consumption. Efforts are on to commence cultivation in 8 acres in Pithampur near Indore and Kharachi in Gujarat on 15 acres. Although 90 per cent of the herbs are outsourced by the division only, select species are cultivated.
The current trends in organised herbal market are to tap the OTC segment, which ensures faster returns. In India, most potential market for herbal products is Uttar Pradesh. There an increased demand for herbal formulations worldwide and Europe is a major base for the same, stated Dr. Advani.