Company Watch

Piramal Healthcare enters dermo-cosmeceuticals

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Piramal Healthcare and the Pierre Fabre Group, the second largest privately owned pharmaceutical group in France, have jointly launched a new dermo-cosmetic range, Ducray, especially designed to suit Indian skin and hair.

Three sub-ranges of products have been launched, namely, Ducray Hair Care, Ducray Skin Care and A-Derma. Ducray Hair Care focuses on scalp and hair care solutions, Ducray Skin Care focuses on skin comfort and A-Derma focuses on irritated and sensitive skins. The entire range of products has been meticulously researched and developed to ensure that Ducray is the optimal solution to today's hair and skin needs. Priced between Rs 300 and Rs 500, Ducray products will be available on dermatologists' recommendation and at all organised chemist stores across India.

The Ducray range includes the A-Derma range containing Rhéalba Oat, which soothes irritated skin. Rhealba Oat patented extract is a result of several years of research and rigorous selection of the active ingredient. It has anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, moisturising, film-forming and anti-free radical properties. A-Derma has notably designed Exoméga, to treat skin atopy, as well as Epithéliale, to promote cutaneous repair in the case of damaged skin. The sensiphase line provides immediate relief to sensitive or irritated skin.

Underlining the need for quality dermo-cosmetics in India, Dr Swati Piramal, Director-Strategic Alliances and Communications, Piramal Healthcare, said, "Each of us in the Piramal community is perceived to be at the cutting edge of knowledge and concepts in our area of operation or expertise, and to demonstrate an innovative, creative approach and ingenuity in everything we do. At Piramal we believe that we should care for the world we share and serve. We recognise that there is a large presence of customers with an in-depth understanding of their skin and high expectations from their cosmetic products. With the Ducray launch, we are ensuring that the quality and the essence of our tradition and values are maintained by offering superior quality and well-researched products to our clientele. Our association with the Pierre Fabre Group goes back a long way. With the Ducray launch, we are confident of creating a niche in dermo-cosmetics in India."

Part of a growing trend to diversify into the cosmeceuticals business, other Indian pharma companies who have forayed into the dermo-cosmetics arena include USV, Ozone Pharmaceuticals, Ajanta Pharma and Elder Pharma. Himalaya Herbal Healthcare also has a range of herbal cosmeceuticals and neutraceuticals.

Commenting on the launch, Roberto Bottino, General Manager, Pierre Fabre, said, "For over forty years, we have placed our trust in research. Since 1965, Pierre Fabre's dermo-cosmetic division has not stopped growing. Ducray is the result of in-depth research and a keenness to provide quality products to our consumers worldwide. Ducray hair care specialises in shampoos and hair treatments. Ducray skin care has been specially developed to care for extreme skin dryness through the use of a skin emollient, Ictyan. A-Derma soothes and comforts irritated skin."

"We are glad to be associated with Piramal Healthcare, one of the leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in India for our dermo-cosmetic range", added Pierre Behnam, Country Head for Pierre Fabre.