The initial market response to five products launched by the Rs 169 crore Mumbai-based FDC (Foods, Drugs & Chemicals) Ltd, one of the top 30 pharmaceutical companies in India, is reported to be "very encouraging".

According to a company source, the products are anti-bacterial Zifi (cefixime), anti-fungal Fungotek (terbinafine), anti-ocular inflammation steroid Flomon (fluoromethalone) eyedrops, anti-asthmatic Eto-Salbetol syrup (a combination of salbetamol, theophylline and bromexine), and cough syrup Salmodil Plus (a combination of bromexine, guaifenesin and terbinafine). These were launched in July this year.

The company plans to launch a slew of products after three months. The line-up is yet to be finalized.

Last year the company introduced new products like Zoxan-D in opthalmics, Zo in antibiotics, Vitcofol.com tablets and syrup in haematinics and Simyl-MCT Oil and Zefrich (mango flavour) in nutraceuticals.

FDC also exports its formulations and bulk drugs to the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, Japan and many Middle East, Asian and African countries. FDC was the first to introduce a sustained-release cough remedy in liquid form- "Lastuss L.A.", a highly palatable form of dextromethorphan, for children. It was also the first to introduce a range of ophthalmic formulations like Pyrimon, Vanmycetin, etc in India. FDC's Electral revolutionised the therapy for dehydration with a simple, effective alternative to parenteral therapy, at a fraction of the cost of I.V. therapy.

FDC entered the food products' segment with Soyal, ProSoyal and then Simyl-MCT, the first infant food formula for children suffering from lactose intolerance.

The company has a strong presence in antibiotics, dermatology, respiratory and haematinic segments and is an undisputed leader in ORS and ophthalmological segments by virtue of its leading products like Electral, Pyrimon and Mycoderm, which are household names in India.