Pharma
Cough & cold medicines overtake antibiotics
Cough and cold seem to be our biggest worry as far as healthcare concerns go. The trend is visible with not only certain cough and cold medicines being the largest selling drugs, but with popular cough medication Phensedyl also overtaking antibiotic Augmentin to become the top-selling drug in the pharma retail market. Phensedyl, after showing a dip earlier this year, has regained its share from Augmentin. Phensedyl which is marketed by Abbott, witnessed a growth of little over 12% for the 12-month period ended October this year, while GlaxoSmithKine’s Augmentin grew just 7% during the period, according to consultancy firm, IMS Health which tracks retail pharma sales....
Read MoreMed device makers eye bottom of pyramid
Consumer goods companies have already found their pot of gold at the bottom of the pyramid. Now, its the turn of medical technology and device manufacturers to chase that rainbow as they reach out to the segment with low-cost innovations, specifically developed and manufactured in India. Since the rural markets and under-penetrated semiurban markets continue to hold a promise, healthcare companies are introducing devices ranging from low-cost cath labs to screening device for cardio-vascular diseases suited for use in such settings. Much of the trend has been driven by the fact that accessing healthcare is a challenge in the country, particularly for the low...
Read MoreIs government new drug pricing formula beneficial to the common people?
While on the one hand, government, though after being pushed by various organisations, put 348 essential drugs under price control, it seems the ever so strong pharma lobby prevailed on the government to tweak the rules of new pricing formula for new drugs, which is decidely in favour of the industry and to the detriment of the common people In the new proposed policy for the drugs under price control, the pricing formula mentioned is the “average of the price of the top three selling drugs”. Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) submitted the same in the apex court, while professing that the government is committed to bring all 348 drugs included in the...
Read MoreHealthcare in Need of Treatment
Drug pricing by manufacturers and hospital retailers exploits the consumer The common man continues to be pummelled by the more unscrupulous players of the banking, insurance, real estate and other sectors, and by less vigilant regulators. Another sector that can be added to this list is the health-pharmaceutical sector combine. The heartlessness of hospitals has been all too evident in recent years. Thanks to ‘modern’ hospitals, General Practitioners have all but disappeared from our lives, and even for an uneasy stomach, we are constrained to visit these hospitals and pay through our nose. When two tests would suffice, six are recommended, as each test is...
Read MoreMNCs move SC over drug price control
Till now, pharma companies, opposing price control, have been trying to make their voices heard in the corridors of power. With the courts recently stepping in to bring essential medicines under a price control regime, multinational-led industry body OPPI (Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India) has moved the Supreme Court seeking to be heard on the drug pricing issue. OPPI through an application seeking “impleadment” in the ongoing public interest litigation on the drug pricing issue in the Supreme Court, wants to be a formal party in the case. Sources said that the OPPI filed the application to engage with the government “more actively’’, and...
Read MoreAbbott, Dabur, GSK eye Jagdale’s energy drinks biz
A line-up of MNC and Indian bidders are in the fray to acquire home grown electrolyte energy drinks business of Jagdale Healthcare, which is on the block. GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Abbott Laboratories, Zydus Cadila, Wipro and Dabur are among the potential suitors for Jagdale’s OTC business for an estimated valuation of Rs 500 crore, said sources directly briefed on the matter. Bangalore-based Jagdale has appointed boutique investment bank Mape Advisory Group to find suitors for the business under the brand ORS-L. The brand, a patented fruit-based electrolyte drink, competes in the broader energy drinks segment that include players like Gatorade from PepsiCo. The brand...
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