Dr Reddy’s to exit small generic drug markets abroad

Pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd has decided to exit from the small distributor-driven markets in its global generics business. It would now focus more on key markets.
Besides the domestic market, the Hyderabad-based company, as part of a realigned global generics/finished dosages strategy, will increase its focus on the US, Russia & CIS and Germany which accounted for 90 per cent of the global generics revenue (for nine months ended December 2008).

The move is construed as a cost-cutting exercise from the pharma major. It would, however, continue operations in 10-15 markets wherein the company’s finished dosages sales are growing.

“We intend to aggressively step up our presence in our key markets with this strategic prioritisation. This would lead to redeployment of resources within the organisation. The company will, however continue to scan opportunities and attractiveness of international markets in line with its business strategy,” Mr K. Satish Reddy, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dr Reddy’s, said in a release. The exercise would also result in reduction of complexity of operations on one hand and help in significantly enhanced customer service and market share on the other, he added.

The markets being exited would have an overall contribution of less than one per cent to the topline, the company said. While the markets from which it plans to exit have not been disclosed they could include the Philippines and Sudan going by the revenues the company earns from these markets.