www.pharmabiz.com - Jul 02, 2011

Marck Biosciences is set to launch world’s first ever Paracetamol IV in plastic pack manufactured using BFS technology in India. Marck will be contract manufacturing Paracetamol IV and will also launch it under its own brand name of Febramol IV in India.

Speaking about the same, Bhavesh Patel, Marck Biosciences said, “Due to our proven ability to innovate and create a pack that further helped in reducing the potential for microbial infection during manufacturing and Formulation and Development (F&D) team’s dedicated efforts for 3 years, Marck has overcome the challenge of developing Paracetamol IV in Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) pack and launched this product for the first time in the world.”

Marck has invested approximately US$ 3.5 lakh to commercialise the production of Paracetamol IV and expects growth of approx US$ 1million sales with Paracetamol IV in the first year of its launch.

The company has already pioneered the export of Paracetamol IV to West Africa, South East Asia and Middle East markets; and now is about to storm the Indian markets. Marck  has received the approvals in Nigeria, Kenya, Benin, Mali, Vietnam and Yemen and is in the process of registering the  product in East Africa, CIS countries and Latin American countries.

“We would like to be the leader in all the markets, where we launch Paracetamol IV. Our product is stable, economical and availability will be assured. We are focussing on a two-pronged strategy of marketing Paracetamol IV under our own brand name and contract manufacturing to grow exponentially in the coming year. The response from other pharma companies is overwhelming and we are in the process of having an alliance internationally,” added Patel.

Paracetamol IV is a ready to infuse dosage form of Paracetamol (in 10 mg/ml solution). It is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderate pain, especially following surgery and for the short-term treatment of fever urgently when other routes of administration are not possible. Paracetamol IV in plastic has  lower freight costs and breakages and helps in more competitive pricing in comparison to glass bottles. Marck is the first company, which, after extensive R&D, has stabilised the formulation with technological and formulation innovation and launched it in plastic pack.

“The current size of Paracetamol IV market in India is estimated around 2.5 million bottles per annum. Since it is being launched for the first time in India the growth rate is expected to be in excess of 25 per cent every year for the initial three years. Industry has enough capacity to keep itself busy and meet the growing demand,” said Patel.