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HMD launches disposable syringes for diabetics

Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd (HMD), manufacturers of glass syringes, recently launched insulin syringe with 30G needle in the domestic market for the insulin-dependent diabetics. The company is also all set to launch Dispovan-brand name, in the global market. Priced at Rs.50 per pack, the company believes that the 30G short needle has an edge over the existing one’s due to its thinner needle which would result in less penetration force and thus less painful to the patients.

The joint managing director of HMD said, "a diabetes patient has to inject insulin 2-4 times a day, which is quite painful. Keeping this in mind we developed the super fine 30G needle, which is not only less painful than 29G currently in use but also more affordable compared to import variants."

A company press communique said that HMD’s Dispovan already enjoys 70 percent share of the disposal syringes and needles market and over 60 percent of the Insulin Syringe market.

Other products of HMD include Scalpvan Infusion set, Glassvan Surgical Blades and Cathy IV Cannula. The company is targeting 30 percent sales growth over the next two years to become a Rs.200 crore company.

Dr. Sabharwal’s Lab launches polyurethane tape as a new generation lightweight bandage

Dr. Sabharwal’s Mfg. Labs, one of the leading surgical dressing manufacturers in India, has developed a new plastering product called the Light Weight PU Bandage using the polyurethane casting tape. The product, which was developed at a cost of about Rs.2.8 crore, has already been introduced in the domestic market.

The new generation bandage, according to company sources, replaces the traditional plaster of Paris bandages. With the use of polyurethane casting tape, the plaster becomes light in weight and strong after application. The strength is 2 to 4 times that of POP bandages and the weight is less than 1/3rd.

"Earlier this bandage was being imported from the US and were available at Rs.600 to Rs.1000 to the customer," said Dr. AR Sabharwal, managing director, Dr. Sabharwal’s Mfg. Labs. He adds that the bandages manufactured by using this new technique will come at least less than half the cost of those being imported. The company has started marketing of this product through its network all over India. "This being a new item, all the doctors do not use it too frequently, but doctors in bigger cities have started using and we hope that it will be common all over India shortly."

The cost advantage is the main factor for the expected market success of this product. The company based in Kanpur has a market share of more than 10 percent of the total Indian surgical dressing market, which is pegged at Rs.90 crore comprising of both imports and local production.

The company, which manufactures wide range of surgical dressings like POP bandage, adhesive tapes, cotton crepe and cotton and rubber elastic bandages, orthopedic cast padding, sterile surgical pad, extension plaster, PU bandage etc. has registered a turnover of Rs.13 crore for the year 2000-01.

Plastic waste offer profitable means of disposal