Nicholas Piramal enters rural pharma market

Domestic drug player Nicholas Pharma on Monday said it has launched a pilot project in Rajasthan to take its drugs to rural areas where there is no proper public health system.

"About seven lakh villages in India don't have doctors. The public health system is broken in rural areas," Ms Swati A Piramal, Director, Nicholas Piramal said on launching of the pilot project.

This is the maiden entry of Nicholas Piramal into rural areas. So far, its products are present till Tier III cities. The company has 256 brands in its portfolio. Through this exercise, the company is looking to fill up the gaps in its portfolio, she sa id.

The pilot project would run for six months. "We are using information technology to cure patients for basic diseases. Doctors, who cannot travel to rural areas, would use our system," she said.

According to industry data, about 30 per cent of the Indian population has access to modern medicine. The main reason for lack of availability of medicines in rural areas is absence of qualified doctors and medical stores.

The pharma industry is also planning to take drugs to rural areas through post offices. The industry has given a presentation to Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission on the pros of using a post office to sell over-the-counter d rugs. - PTI