P&G Plans to Invest Rs. 2,200 crore in Gujarat for a Psyllium Husk-based Laxative Medicine and Vicks Products

Procter & Gamble (P&G) plans to invest Rs. 2,000 crore in its premium psyllium husk-based laxative drug product and Rs. 200 crore in its Vicks range of products in Gujarat as part of its domestic and global business expansion, according to Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) commissioner Dr H G Koshia. Psyllium is a non-fermented, soluble, gel-forming fibre supplement that aids in the relief of constipation and diarrhoea. It's also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, and other digestive issues. Psyllium is also used to help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels.

"Expanding its manufacturing base in Gujarat will give the company cost competitiveness and help Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) under the favourable business and regulatory environment of Gujarat," Dr. Koshia added. Dr. Koshia and state health ministry officials recently met with Seema Sundaresan, senior director, regulatory affairs, Middle East and Africa, Global Product Stewardship, Research and Development, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Singapore, on the subject. "P&G has chosen Gujarat as the preferred location for a manufacturing base because it is the world's largest producer and processor of psyllium husk." The company intends to employ psyllium husk, which is abundant in North Gujarat, as the raw material for their laxative medicine.

This will then be exported globally, making the endeavour commercially feasible. This will also increase Gujarat's worldwide export share. The production unit would be located in Sanand, around 25 km from Ahmedabad, according to Dr. Koshia. Dr Koshia further informed that P&G which used to market its Vicks herbal range will now also produce its Vicks allopathic range with an investment of Rs. 200 crore in Gujarat. Business modalities are currently being discussed. Vicks was registered as a brand under the Indian system of medicine.

As an ayurvedic company, it was exempt from licences, excise duty and price control. Vicks is an American brand of over-the-counter medications owned by the American companies P&G and Helen of Troy Limited. Vicks manufactures NyQuil and its sister medication, DayQuil as well as other medications in the "Quil" line. Vicks also produces the Formula 44 brand of cough medicines, cough drops, Vicks VapoRub, and a number of inhaled breathing treatments.