The Hindu Business Line : Dr Batra's to expand overseas

Widening reach
To offer proximity by setting up one clinic for every 10 km.
To focus on setting up more stores in existing markets.
Plans to get into OTC segment.

Mumbai , May 11

Dr Batra's Super Speciality Homeopathy is planning overseas expansion . The company has opened its first clinic in London recently and would shortly be setting up shop in West Asia and Mauritius.

However, the core focus, said Dr Mukesh Batra, Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Batra's Super Speciality Homeopathy, would be to set up more stores in the existing markets and also entering new markets within the country. "We want to offer proximity to our clients and would therefore try to have at least one clinic within a radius of every 10 km in the cities we are already there. We plan to set up at least 10 clinics this year."

Also on cards is foray into the skincare segment with the launch of disease-related creams and general face creams. The company is also looking at widening its hair-care range with the launch of hair oils.

Modern trade outlets

As far as distribution of these products are concerned, Dr Batra said the products would initially be available through the chain of clinics across the country. "We may look at other distribution formats such as modern trade outlets some time next year."

The company also plans to get into the OTC (over the counter) segment within the next couple of years, thereby giving the consumers a homeopathy version of an analgesic or an antacid.

Grow in organised way

Though the homeopathy industry is growing by 25 per cent every year, compared to the pharma industry, which is growing by just 10 per cent, corporatisation of this industry is still a far cry, said Dr Batra. "There is a big need for corporatisation of the industry for the industry to grow in an organised way. Since homeopathy is an individualistic therapy, it is difficult to get people under one banner and follow a given business model," said Dr Batra.

He said the company has been doing its bit to consolidate the industry through lectures in forums such as FICCI, addressing healthcare camps and so on.

Dr Batra also said though India has the highest number of practicing homeopaths in the world, it has the least number of pharmacies. "That is because we are highly disorganised and don't have a proper distribution network. We are still not available over the counter unlike countries such as France or Germany. Even chemists require special permission to stock homeopathy drugs in India," he said.

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