Dr. Reddy’s today launched Melgain, a lotion that has been approved for the treatment of vitiligo to benefit patients of the skin pigmentation disorder in India.
The medication has been launched in partnership with Issar Pharmaceuticals to increase access to a novel treatment for Vitiligo patients in India.
Vitiligo is a skin disease that leads to white patches on the body due to the loss of normal skin pigment called melanin. It is a very common disease that affects all races and is estimated to affect about five crore people in India. Vitiligo leads to emotional distress as the disease affects the appearance of the patient.
A study has revealed that 54.5 per cent patients suffering from Vitiligo were found to be depressed. On an average, an Indian dermatologist who treats Vitiligo sees 20 patients in a month.
Alok Sonig, Sr Vice-president, said the company was sharpening focus on dermatology products. “Currently this segment accounts for about 10 per cent of our revenues. We intend to become one of the top ten players in this segment,” he said, after launching the product.