GSK global brands in India soon

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New Delhi, Jan 31: In an attempt to grab a larger slice of the rapidly growing health and nutrition market in India, UK-based pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is planning to introduce some of its global brands in the country over the next three years.

GSK Consumer Healthcare, which on Thursday, announced its foray in the Rs 500-crore protein supplement market with the launch of ‘specialist nutrition’ ActiBase, said global brands such as energy drink ‘Lucozade’, toothpaste Sensodyne, vitamin drink Ribena, and nasal strips and snore relief product ‘Breathe Right’ could find their way to India.

“Ours is a three-pronged strategy to grow in India. While we will continue to grow the Rs 1,000-crore brand Horlicks, we will also bring global brands in India and roll out specialty nutrition products… Global brands will be the pillar of growth,” said the company’s managing director Zubair Ahmed.

Ahmed said subject to regulatory approval the existing products from global portfolio would be introduced in India in a phased manner over the next few years. “Some of the global products will need modification to suit the local regulatory conditions,” he added.

Speaking about GSK’s new product under the nutrition umbrella, Ahmed said, “In line with developed economies, with growing awareness, educations and spending power, the health and wellness sector is set to expand exponentially in India… ActiBase is our latest foray in this direction.”

Earlier this week, the company had launched a new supplement for women buyers ‘Women’s Horlicks’ to strengthen its product portfolio in the health drink segment.

GSK Consumer Healthcare had achieved a double-digit sales growth of 15.3% in 2007. The company’s net profit grew 28.1% over 2006 to Rs 1,62.6 crore in 2007.