Himalaya Drug Company, the makers of pharmaceutical-grade ayurvedic products, has announced the launch of 'Himplasia', a drug to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) commonly known as enlarged prostate.

BPH is known to affect around 25% of men over 40 years and one in every three men over 65 years. It causes the prostate gland to enlarge and squeeze the urethra leading to difficulty in passing urine.

An ORG study states that the present male population in the country above 65 years is 77 million, expected to go up to 175 million by 2005.

Himplasia will compete with products from big names like Pfizer, Cipla, Abbot among others in the approximately Rs.60 crore market for BPH drugs. The company hopes to achieve a 5% market share before the end of current fiscal, said Mr. Philipe J Haydon, General Manager (Pharma Marketing).

Mr. Haydon said that two kinds of drugs are presently being offered to treat BPH. The anti-androgen kind that shrinks the size of the bloated prostate gland, and the alhpa-blocker type which works to relax the muscles on the urethra. As Himplasia does both and also comes with antiseptic properties to prevent urinary infection, doctors will find it an ideal drug to prescribe, he said.

Himplasia is made through a combination of time-tested herbs, and is available in a strip of 30 tablets, he said. Cost per tablet is Rs.3.

Himalaya's revenues were Rs.250 crore during the last fiscal. Its pharma division, which has popular brands like "Liv.52", is the largest revenue grosser for the company. Mr. Haydon did not disclose anticipated revenues of the pharma division and the overall revenue the company is likely to make this fiscal.