Mumbai : American MNC Procter & Gamble (P&G) is planning to make big ticket investments worth Rs. 2,000 crore in its premium psyllium husk based laxative drug product and Rs. 200 crore in its Vicks range of products as part of its business expansion domestically and in exports markets globally in Gujarat, informed Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) commissioner Dr H G Koshia.
Psyllium is a soluble, gel-forming, non-fermented fiber supplement which helps relieve both constipation and diarrhoea. It is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, and other intestinal problems. Psyllium is also used to help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
“Expanding its manufacturing base in Gujarat will give the company cost competitiveness and help Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) under a favourable business and regulatory environment of Gujarat,” Dr Koshia said.
Dr Koshia along with the state health ministry officials recently concluded a meeting on the same with Seema Sundaresan, senior director, regulatory affairs, Middle East and Africa, Global Product Stewardship, Research and Development, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Singapore.
“P&G has given preference to set up a manufacturing base in Gujarat as it is the largest producer and processor of psyllium husk in the world. The company is planning to use the locally available psyllium husk grown abundantly in North Gujarat as the raw material for its laxative drug. This will then be exported globally making it a commercially viable venture. This will also enhance the export share of Gujarat globally. The manufacturing plant will be set up in Sanand, 25 km away from Ahmedabad,” Dr Koshia informed.
Dr Koshia further informed that P&G which used to market its Vicks herbal range will now also produce its Vicks allopathic range with an investment of Rs. 200 crore in Gujarat. Business modalities are currently being discussed.
Vicks was registered as a brand under the Indian system of medicine. As an ayurvedic company, it was exempt from licences, excise duty and price control.
Vicks is an American brand of over-the-counter medications owned by the American companies P&G and Helen of Troy Limited. Vicks manufactures NyQuil and its sister medication, DayQuil as well as other medications in the “Quil” line. Vicks also produces the Formula 44 brand of cough medicines, cough drops, Vicks VapoRub, and a number of inhaled breathing treatments. For much of its history, Vicks products were manufactured by the family-owned company Richardson-Vicks, Inc., based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Richardson-Vicks, Inc., was eventually sold to P&G in 1985.
