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After piloting its branded drugs in Tamil Nadu, Shasun Pharmaceuticals is set for a rollout across the rest of South India. Plans are also on to export to Africa.
Shasun mainly manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients for several pharmaceutical companies globally such as Boots and Glaxo. It entered branded play last year with the launch of a generic diabetes medication and an anti-coagulant for heart diseases. At present, the ‘Shasun’ branded generics – in the tablet form – are available across 400 pharmacy outlets in Tamil Nadu. The company is also seeding the products among the doctor fraternity.
“The response has been good. Doctors are also happy there is a product that is at least 50 per cent cheaper than international ones. We plan to cover the whole of South India by September,” said Mr Abhaya Kumar, Managing Director.
The company has hired a “new field force” for marketing the drugs.
It will pump in Rs 10 crore into branded generics this year.
Plans are on to launch diabetes and cholesterol drugs in the sachet form. Drugs for renal failure are also in the pipeline.
Shasun is also working on opportunities for export to the under-served African markets. “We have had a few enquiries. This could take next year as we have to go through regulatory clearances.”
“We hope branded generics becomes a Rs 15-20 crore business by 2014-end,” said Mr Kumar.
Post 2014, Shasun will take its drugs across India.
The company’s share price was up 4.96 per cent at Rs 115.40 on the BSE on Wednesday.
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