The Rs 250-crore Himalaya Drug Company (HDC) is all set to tap the more than Rs 450 crore menopause-osteoporosis segment of the women's healthcare market with single therapy herbal formulations.

The new products - Menosan- for the management of menopausal symptoms and -Reosto-to combat osteoporosis is claimed by the company as the first single therapy products available in the market for these conditions.

HDC hopes to corner a revenue of Rs 6 to 8 crore in the first six months from these products. Speaking to FE, HDC general manager-pharma marketing Philip J Haydon said "Our product is unique compared to the hormone replacement therapies (HRT) available today, which are multi-drug therapies with heavy side effects."

According to the latest studies conducted by the US-based Women's Health Initiative, the treatments available like the three drug prescription for osteoporosis is detrimental to women's heallh, Mr. Haydon said. "The HRT using synthetic estrogens and progestin would result in increase in breast cancer, strokes, heart attacks, blood clots, etc., which has developed major doubts on the efficacy of such treatments in the long run. Here comes Himalaya's USP", Mr. Haydon said, adding that the new drugs contain natural phyto estrogens tested to have no side effects at all.

The company has already launched the products in the export markets. HDC plans to reach around 25000 doctors across the country especially orthopedics and gynecologists and general practitioners.

The company is planning awareness programs on the products across the country in the second phase of the launch after the first quarter, Mr. Haydon said. HDC also plans to expand its research in the women's healthcare segment, Evecare, the company's product on menstrual irregularities is off-late being researched and used by doctors as a successful infertility treatment drug, he added.

Menosan, priced at Rs.2 per tablet comes in a pack of sixty tablets. HDC is planning around 2 to 3 new products in the pediatrics segment and few products in the cardio vascular segment, Mr.Haydon said.