Dr Reddy’s launches Dose Counter Inhalers – metered dose inhaler (MDI) – in India

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) has launched metered dose inhaler (MDI) in India.

Dr Reddy’s had entered the respiratory inhaler segment in India with the launch of ‘Combihale’ a combination of a steroid and a long acting bronchodilator in September 2008. It is used in the treatment of asthma and is available in three combinations.

Dr Reddy’s ‘Dose Counter Inhalers’ is the first metered dose inhaler in India, the company has claimed in a press release.

Metered dose inhaler gives patients an advance indication of when the inhaler is going to be empty.

The device also includes a retractable mouth piece and a child lock facility and comes with a ‘universal adapter’ that can be fitted with available spacers.

Dose counter inhalers are new drug delivery device with a single device having 120 metered doses.

There is a window in the inhaler that changes colour from green to red. Green indicates the inhaler is full and red indicates the inhaler is empty. Half green and half red in the window indicate it’s time to change the inhaler.

Inhaler market is currently valued at Rs 629 crore growing at a CAGR of over 18 per cent, as per ORG IMS.

Dr Reddy’s branded generics portfolio offers over 200 products in the major therapeutic areas of gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, pain management, oncology, anti-infectives, paediatrics and dermatology.

Brands like Omez, Ciprolet, Nise, Enam, Ketorol, Exifine and Cetrine enjoy leadership positions in several key markets, including India, Romania, Venezuela, Russia & the CIS countries. The company has brands like Omez, Nise, Enam in key segments like gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular and pain management.

Dr Redddy’s markets over 40 product families marketed in the US. The company has 133 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) filed till date in US. 69 ANDAs pending approval at the USFDA, of which 32 are Para IV and 19 are first to files (FTFs).

The company markets about 160 products marketed in the EU markets.

Dr Reddy’s has 8 US FDA inspected facilities (6 in India, 1 in Mexico and 1 in UK).

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 233 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, compared to a net profit of Rs 159 crore in the same period last year, mainly on account of write down of goodwill amount of Rs 514.7 crore on consolidated basis.

In June, Dr Reddy’s agreed to supply GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) with over 100 branded drugs to be sold in Africa, west Asia, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

As per agreed terms, the products will be manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s and will be licensed and supplied to GSK in various emerging markets  excluding India. Revenues will be reported by GSK and will be shared with Dr. Reddy’s . In certain markets products will be co-marketed by Dr. Reddy’s and GSK.