Pharmacy

Drugmaker J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of a new business division catering to gynaecology and dental therapies with 15 products, and would exploit other therapeutic areas having good growth potential, sending its shares up by over 7 per cent.

The gynaecology and dental segments have a combined market size of about Rs.2, 000 crore in India and are growing at 16 per cent every year. The new division has a sales force of over 100 representatives and it would triple the count over the next two years, it added. The launch would help company strengthen its position in the rural as well as urban markets in India.

Pranabh Mody, President, J B Chemicals, had stated in May that the company would launch at least 15 new products from gynecology and dental division m India this year and would concentrate on Contract Research and    Manufacturing   Services (CRAMS) business post the deal with Johnson & Johnson. The company sold its over-the counter medicines business in Russia to an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson for about $260 million. The brands include Rinza, Russia's leading multi-symptom cough and cold brand, and Doktor Mom, Russia's No 2 cough brand.