Pharma companies are waking up to the potential of capturing a large market share of the maternal healthcare market currently pegged at Rs. 2,500 crore. At the18th Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG) from September 5-9, 2002 at Bangalore, 60-odd pharma and medical equipment companies focussing on maternal healthcare and gynaecology will be present.

Some of the leading participants are Astra Zeneca Pharma India, Bal Pharma, Wipro GE Medical Systems Zydus Cadila, Charak Pharmaceuticals, Cadila Pharma and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

German Remedies, which has well over 15 products under the gynaecology segment, is expected to launch a new product on the occasion. Right now the company faces competition from Sun Pharma, Infra, Serum Institute, informed an official source.

Bal Pharma which has its presence in the gynaecology segment will introduce at the AOCOG, a novel estrogens receptor stimulator (ERS) known as Ralocium under the brand name - 'Raloxifene. The product is also recommend for hormone replacement therapy and osteoporosis. The total market for the ERS is pegged at around Rs. 30-40 crore and Bal Pharma is aiming to garner a significant share. The other existing products in the segment are Amenova for uterine dysfunction, Ocium, a calcium supplement and Carbofez an iron supplement. Plans are underway to launch a separate division for the segment in 2003 titled as Women and Child division, informed V R Kannan, vice president, marketing, Bal Pharma.

AstraZeneca Pharma India has no plans to have any new products in the segment but consolidate its revenues from the existing products-Prostodin injection, Primprost, Cerviprime gel, Rejois gel and Durovit.

While the maternal care market is worth around Rs. 2,500 crore, none of the players have a major share, opined analyst.

On the herbal front, the two players- The Himalaya Drug Company and Charak Pharmaceuticals went on to introduce a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Himalaya launched 'Menosan' for management of menopausal symptoms particularly HRT and 'Reosto' to combat osteoporosis. Both the drugs are formulated with novel herbo-minerals like calcium in its natural form, phytoestrogens to restore hormonal balance, analgesic agents and vitamin D. On the other hand Charak Pharmaceuticals has already introduced Evanova, an anti menopausal symptom preparation has made a presence in the growing HRT segment.