Pharmaton SA of Switzerland is now planning to launch its flagship brand in India. According to sources close to the development, it is scouting for an Indian pharmaceutical company with a strong retail network that could market the product locally.
The company may launch Pharmaton in all its forms, including capsules, syrup and gels. Both Revital and Pharmaton use ginseng extract as a primary ingredient and are taken as a supplement for enhancing mental and physical health.
Though originally launched as a prescription drug, Ranbaxy moved Revital to the over-the-counter segment more than a year ago.
Ranbaxy executives refused to comment on Revital's annual turnover, though industry sources said it could be in excess of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million).
In 2004, Revital achieved a growth of 22 per cent and was ranked 16th (moving average total, November 2004), capturing a market share of 71.5 per cent, Ranbaxy executives said.
If Pharmaton is launched in the country, Revital is sure to face stiff competition. Pharmaton is the number two brand in its category in the world and is sold in over 100 countries.
"Revital is among the leading OTC brands in the vitamins, minerals and supplements category. The food supplement/neutraceutical products segment in India is evolving and other OTC competition shall only help to grow consumer awareness and expand the category," a Ranbaxy executive said.
Before the country switched to a regime of product patents on January 1, overseas pharmaceutical companies were reluctant to launch their products in India as Indian companies were free to launch copycat versions of their products by using processes that were not patented.
But with product patents back, several multinational pharmaceutical companies are planning to launch their products in the country, leveraging the marketing network of Indian companies.
