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Alembic's big plans for generic division

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, Sept. 27

ALEMBIC Ltd is all set to launch 30 new products in the current financial year through its generic division. The products would be from therapeutic groups such as antibiotics, cough remedies, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and anti-ulceran ts, said Mr N.W. Kalamkar, Manager (Generics), Alembic Ltd.

This is part of Alembic's strategy to get a foothold in the generics market. The company now wants to get a sizeable share in retail generic and institutional generic markets. Alembic entered the generics market six months ago and has already flooded the market with eighty products.

``We want to be a dynamic company and adopt all positive changes which the market demands. Our focus will be on product-mix, distribution network and appropriate pricing system to satisfy customers,'' Mr N.W. Kalamkar told Business Line.

The company plans to focus on certain therapeutic groups in its attempt to tap the generic market aggressively. The groups are antibiotics, cough remedies, NSAIDs, vitamin B-complex, antiulcerants and cardiovascular drugs.

Alembic would be investing five per cent of its turnover in expansion plans for this segment. ``The company is looking to expand its distribution network by way of increasing outlets. Currently, the company has about thirty outlets across the country cov ering 40 per cent of the market,'' Mr Kalamkar said.

The company aims to penetrate the interior markets, dispensing doctors and institutional business.

On generic marketing gaining propensity, Mr Kalamkar said: ``Generic marketing is creating a massive competition to branded market. This is mainly because interface communication with all customers for branded products is not always possible. Hence, gen erics make their way faster.''

The company is preparing itself for the regulatory markets and is planning to become one of the main sources of supply of products that will go out of patent by 2005.