Global Consumer Healthcare Business Unveils Plans to Open Up Multi-Million Dollar Joint Health Market in Asia
Merck KGaA announced new plans for its wholly owned division Merck Consumer Health Care (CHC) to establish a new joint health market in Asia, estimated to be worth US$100 million. Kai Beckmann, Managing Director of Merck Pte. Ltd Singapore and Merck Sdn. Bhd. Malaysia, subsidiaries of Merck KGaA, told an international press conference in Hong Kong, that the company has identified Asia as a priority market for the launch of a range of evidence-based natural joint health supplements. The products will be launched under the Merck Consumer Health Care (CHC) Seven Seas brand in six Asian markets in 2005-2006; Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand.
According to independent research commissioned by Merck CHC, more than one in four adults in these Asian markets currently experience joint health problems, ranging from inflammation caused by painful joints to cartilage damage associated with arthritis. The business opportunity is further strengthened by evidence showing that while the potential joint health market is both sizeable and increasing - as the Asian population grows older - treatment of joint pain and arthritis is still widely seen as an unavoidable and natural symptom of ageing. It is common practice for patients in Asia to seek treatment from their doctor only when their joint pain becomes acute.
Other news from the department business & finance
