The Himalaya Drug Company has launched its first paediatric product, 'Gripe Water' via the OTC route. The company plans to bring in more soft therapeutics for the infant segment through its Consumer Health Division.

The new Gripe Water is safe and natural. It contains a single ingredient 'Krishnajiraka' known for its medicinal properties. 'Krishnajiraka' is a widely used substance for digestion to provide relief and protect the delicate system of the infant.

Himalaya already has Bonnisan a carminative, appetizer and digestive tonic marketed via the ethical route for common gastrointestinal problems like colic indigestion, constipation and flatulence which helps to improve digestion and gain weight. But the company's new launch 'Gripe Water' is viewed as a better alternative in the OTC market. It is gentle on the stomach and provides relief to infants from indigestion, hiccups and colic pain because it is sans sodium bicarbonate, alcohol and chemicals. The product is available in 120 ml and priced at Rs.28.

The company also went on to present its other new addition - Himalaya Shahicool Herbal Sharbat which contains Sariva, a herb known for its refreshing properties, ginger, saunf for digestion, Vetiver roots and Lal Chandan for cooling. Apart from being a summer drink the Shahicool Herbal Sharbat is a blood purifier, cure for heat illnesses such as exhaustion, fluid imbalance, dyspepsia, flatulence, fatigue and anorexia. It does not contain fruit pulp, diluting agents and artificial flavours. The product is priced at Rs.70 for a 700 ml bottle, stated Mr. R.V. Raman, Business Head, Consumer Health Division.

The company's initiative to introduce the two new products was to keep pace with the emerging global trend of OTC product growth that is catching up in India. Currently, the Consumer Healthcare Division contributes Rs.45 crore to its total turnover of Rs.350 crore. From the two new additions, the company hopes to garner Rs.7crore to Rs.8 crore in the next one year. The division's already existing products Chyavanaprasha (Rs.17 crore), Pure Herbs (Rs.15 crore), Throat Drops (Rs.8 crore) and Forest Honey (Rs.5 crore) have provided the strategic growth to the company. Worldwide, the OTC constitutes 20 per cent of the $165 billion healthcare market. "In India, OTC constitutes 5 per cent of Rs.19,000 crore market which is pointer indicating that there is an increased incidence of self medication in the country that spurred us to generate higher growth from the sector," stated Mr. Ravi Prasad, President and CEO, The Himalaya Drug Company here at a press conclave.