Thanks anindya for the explanation about generics and branded generics.

In India, typically most pharma companies market their own brands and can be termed as branded generics.

Nowadays some cities have started seeing pure generics medical shops but I think until doctors embrace the concept of prescribing generic drugs, mainly by their generic names rather than brand names, this trend of growth in generics is unlikely to catch up.

Coming to Alkem, it seems a company similar to the likes of Torrent Pharma, ajanta, Intas, and the rest of the lot. It does have a dominant place in antibiotics therapy. And much is talked about its US prospects though I dont know much about it.

Personally I would like to wait some time and know more about the company before taking a call.

Hi manish26,

I need to work out on this. Will get back to you in a day or two.

Hi Gautham,
Alkem lab IPO document explains this difference very well.I am copy pasting the details below,hope it helps. Hitesh bhai,do you have any view on alkem lab?I spoke to a few doctor ,MR friends and they recommended their products as very good.They also seem to be a leader in Domestic pharma and on the cusp of strong growth in US and ROW.
---------------------copied from Alkem IPO Doc-----------
Generic Products
“Generic” pharmaceutical products are pharmaceutical products that are not protected by patents. These are drugs marketed by different companies but which contain the same active ingredients. The costs for generics manufacturers to develop their products and obtain regulatory approval to market and sell such products are considerably lower than for patented drug manufacturers. As a result, such companies can offer the same product at a significantly reduced price. The introduction of generic products offers consumers a choice between patented or branded products and their generic counterparts, resulting in greater competition and generally lower prices for
drugs in the market.

Largely due to the increase in generic drug products, when a drug goes off-patent, its price typically falls. For example, generics of “blockbuster” drugs (generally drugs having sales of more than US$1 billion) are susceptible to significant competition as a large number of players seek to enter the market within a short period of time. On the other hand, in the case of “niche” drugs, prices may not erode as much due to lower competition, as products for niche pharmaceutical segments are typically more complex and difficult to manufacture.Generics that are marketed under different brands by different companies are known as “branded generics”. “Pure
(or otherwise known as non-branded) generics” are not marketed under a brand, but rather use a generic or nonproprietary name. Producers of generic drugs (branded as well as pure) may sell their products in unregulated/semi-regulated markets until regulatory recognition of patents in those markets. In regulated markets,generic drugs may be sold when the patent for a particular product has expired or has been found invalid or unenforceable.

In a branded generics market, the same drug will be marketed by different pharmaceutical companies under their own brands. Brand promotion and marketing are important factors to gain competitive advantage in a branded generics market. Marketing and sales set-ups are important in this category. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies in branded generics markets expend considerable resources on building brands and strengthening relationships with doctors, often involving a large sales force. In a typical branded generics market, the first pharmaceutical company to launch a generic version of a particular product tends to take a significant share of the
market. For this reason, the speed at which a generic product comes on the market is critical for obtaining market share and maximizing revenues for a product. Generic products with popular brands typically possess significant market share and can command large pricing premiums over similar products marketed under different, lesser known brands.

In a pure generics market, trade and health maintenance organizations are the key influence in the dispensing decision (as opposed to doctors in a branded generics market). Low-cost manufacturing and an efficient distribution network, coupled with strong relationships with wholesalers and distributors, are the key drivers to succeeding in such markets. Pharmaceutical companies in pure generics markets do not require a full-fledged marketing force to liaise with doctors. Instead, smaller sales teams are employed to build relationships with wholesalers and distributors of the generic products.

@abhishek90

Very nicely analysis on Nandan Denim. The company looks really promising and attractively priced. Just one thing which I wish to have clarity is to by knowledge there is no excise duty currently levied on textile. If GST comes then automatically textile industry would come under taxation. How would GST affect Nandan & industry on the whole.

Hi Aravind, How do u know HDFC and IDFC are picking sarla? please share your source of info?