June 17, 2014
Learning from Market Research Programme
(ME Brand)
Period: 9th to 14th June’14
Areas covered: Karawal Nagar, Bhajan Pura, Yamuna Vihar, Seelampur
No. of Chemists covered: 27
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Learning pertaining to Direct Competition:

Nurokind Plus /Mahagaba-M (Mankind) are the major moving brands in the region.
Meganeruon-OD Plus (Aristo), Pregeb-M (Torrent) & Neugaba-M (Sun) are the other top
brands.

The sales of major Mecobalamin (1500 mcg comb.) brands vary from 3-20 strips/week &
that of Mecobalamin (750) +Pregabalin (75) combination is 3-15 strips/week in the
region.

In plain Mecobalamin injections, Methycobal (Wockhardt) & Nurokind (Mankind) are
the other major brands. (in the range of 5-70 Amp./Week)

Scheme of 4+1 is available in Nurokind Inj (Mankind) though no scheme is available on
Methycobal inj (Wockhardt).

However, there are some brands in ME-PR (Mecobalamin 750 mcg + Pregabalin 75 mg)
market i.e. Pregamal (Austro Labs-Delhi) & Pregabel-M (Knoll Pharma-Mumbai) are
offering scheme (5+1).

The leading chemists maintain higher inventory compared to other chemists.

The observation regarding Nurokind Plus (Mankind) /Pregeb-M (Torrent) /Methycobal
inj (Wockhardt) being the major brands in the region, coincides with the Pharmatrac
report (Feb’14) as well according to which above mentioned brands are the no. 1 unit
wise selling in Delhi in their respective categories.
Learning pertaining to Indirect Competition/Other Combinations:

Plain Gabapentin is also prescribed in Neuropathic pain (300mg) & sometimes
Mecobalamin + Pregabalin combination are also preferred in Neuropathic conditions
associated with pain & Average prescription duration remains OD/BD dosage for 1-3
Mths.

Major brands: Gabapin (Intas) / Gabata Plus (Alkem)
Brand
Company
Compostion
MRP/Tab/Cap
Gabapin
Intas
Gabapentin 300 mg Capsules
12.40
Gabata Plus
Alkem
Gabapentin 300 mg+ Methylcobalamin 500 mcg Tablets
12.00
Learning pertaining to the Brand/Molecules:

As per the chemists’ feedbacks, the prescription% of Mecobalamin combinations is
more than the Pregabalin combination; however the difference is not much.

Neuropathic conditions & associated pain are the major indications that contribute
majorly to the prescriptions of Mecobalamin & its combinations.

The dosage/Rx duration of Mecobalamin (plus comb), Mecobalamin + Pregabalin (MEPR comb) & Mecobalamin inj respectively are as follow:
Mecobalamin comb: OD 2-4 week in Neuropathy (may go upto 6 mths as shared by Chemist)
Mecobalamin + Pregabalin (ME-PR comb):
OD/BD 1-4 week (may go upto 3 mths) in
Neuropathic Pain.
Mecobalamin 500 mcg inj.: OD Alternate Day (3-5 Amp. week up to 3 weeks) in
Neuropathy. 1500 mcg Inj. Once Weekly for 2-3 Weeks.

As per Chemist, in some prescriptions Dermat prescribe plain Pregabalin combinations
for OD/BD for up to 2-6 Weeks in Post Herpetic Neuralgia cases, though the prevalence
of such prescriptions is less in the region.

Majorly co-prescribed drugs involve Analgesics (Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Etoricoxib),
Anti-ulcers (PPIs, PPIs + Domperidone, H2 Blockers), Anti Diabetics (e.g., Glimipiride,
Metformin etc.) & Anti Hypertensives (Amlodipine, Temisartan, Losartan etc.)

Majority of the prescriptions are coming from GPs/Cons Physicians, however Orthos
also contribute majorly to the prescriptions.

10’s pack is prevalent in majority of the oral formulation, only Pregalin-M (Torrent) is
having 15’s pack. In Injections, the major selling brands ie., Methycobal & Nurokind are
available in 4 amp. Pack, however the inj. Like Meganeuron, Rejunex, Nervup are having
single amp in monocarton.

Besides, local Nursing homes the major share of the prescriptions are cominf from
floating prescriptions.(from Govt./Pvt Hospitals eg., GB Pant, LNJP, GTB, AIIMS, Aruna
Asaf Ali, Hindu Rao, St. Stephen’s etc.)
Learning pertaining to ME-PXL formulation:

The combination of ME-PXL is not moving well in the region. However, one or two
doctors started writing the combination as shared by one of the chemist. (e.g, ME-PXL
by Dr. Sandeep Sharma (Phy)-Roopali Nursing Home)

The sales are low for this combination in the range of 3-5 strips/week only at selected
leading counters for selected brands.

The dosage for the combination is 1 – 3 mths OD.

Major prescriptions are from Physicians.

Pregastar M OD (Lupin) & Pregeb M OD 75 (Torrent) are the only moving brands

The Prescriptions of ME-PXL is coming at one/two leading chemists. (2-3/Week)
Learning pertaining to Prescribers:

The prescriptions for Meganeuron-OD Plus (Aristo), Nervup OD (Abbott), Matilda Forte
(Lupin), Pregeb-M (Torrent) are majorly contributed by Consulting Physicians however
the same of Nurokind Plus (Mankind), Mecobal Plus (Rapross), Mahagaba-M (Mankind)
are coming from General Physicians.