Pfizer in News

Publication : Times of India
Provider : Times Internet Limited
May 15, 2004

Brian bullish on generics growth

Jayanta Ghosh & N Vidyasagar NEW DELHI: Within a week of taking over as CMD of Ranbaxy, Brian Tempest has zeroed in on two areas to prop up growth in both domestic and global (primarily US) markets. While in the domestic market the pharma major is pushing products from its Novel Drug delivery System (NDDS) platform, globally the greater focus will be on generics.

According to him, in post-2005 product-patented regime, generics holds huge promises in major markets like US. Admitting that margins are falling here because of fast product inroads and dipping prices, he still believes that
there lies enough scope of making profits. And, one factor helping Indian pharma firms like Ranbaxy and Dr Reddy's in US is motion against high drug price regime created by MNCs like Pfizer and GSK. While they try to block generics inflow from developing nations, it denies the basic USFDA clause of affordable drugs for consumers. "In US, companies are struggling to cope with huge healthcare costs. Lot of political support is there to promote generics." Along with generics, Tempest is also taking ahead its product patented molecules. It is trying to take RBX 7796 (for asthma, also in Phase II trial) into Phase III before co-licencing it. "Co-licencing gain is much higher in Phase III," said Tempset. At home, Ranbaxy has introduced 15 products from NDDS platform (from anti-biotic to cardio-vascular) to get ahead of a stagnant market, which is experiencing a single digit growth.

NDDS allows usage of higher dosage one tablet, instead of two-three of lower dosage without any discomfort. comfort and efficacy. "While NDDS will account for 4.3% of total India sales, we hope to touch double digit growth by 2004."