To cater to the increasing and specialised needs of hospitals, drug-maker RPG Life Sciences Ltd has recently started a new division.

Launched about 20 days ago, the hospital division would service the growing and specialised needs of hospitals, said Mr Ajit Singh Chouhan, Managing Director of RPG Life Sciences.

This would be different from the prescription market and institutional sales, as consistently selling to hospitals would involve streamlining of inventory, order patterns etc, Mr Chouhan told Business Line .

In the year ahead, the company expects to increase its head-count by about 150 promotional staff, of which about 15 people would be dedicated to the hospital division, he said. Last year, the company had increased its field-force up to 550.

Looking ahead, RPGLS is also looking to launch 30 products this year, across its four new verticals – oncology, neuropsychiatry, cardio-vascular and hospital divisions, he added. It will also invest Rs 30 crore in beefing up its capacity, this year.

The company is looking to maintain its growth in the current fiscal, in line with the industry, Mr Chouhan said. The company's plan to commence selling its immuno-suppressant products in Germany, through a partner, will take off in the last quarter of this year, he added.

RPGLS shares were marginally up on the BSE, at Rs 80 on Thursday.

> jyothi@thehindu.co.in

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