Global pharma group launches Bulgarian supplements range
herbal products in Bulgaria with more planned as the company
attempts to meet revenue growth targets of 20 per cent by 2010.
Actavis appears to be using Bulgaria as a test market for its move into the food supplements area and it said it would develop 43 products in 2008. The Bulgarian food supplements market is typical of Eastern European markets that are growing rapidly, albeit from a small base. Euromonitor International notes the size of the Bulgarian food supplements sector almost doubled from €41.7m to €74m between 2003 and 2007 as take-home incomes increased along with interest in personal well-being and healthful solutions. The Bulgarian products include two VMS ranges called ActaVit and ActaStyle and a herbal range Doctor Mom. The ActaVit range consists of condition-specific products including heart health (EPA/DHA plus garlic and letter vitamins), eye care (lutein and zeaxanthin), menopause (zinc and letter vitamins) and immunity (antioxidants plus letter vitamins). Its ActaStyle range delivered "natural products" selected for "the challenges people are facing daily as a result of the contemporary dynamic way of life". The range includes BodyNorm - a weight control product utilising clarinol, Phase 2, and glucophyte to "reduce calorie absorption from carbohydrates, balances blood sugar, and reduces body fats by preventing their accumulation in mastocytes." The company is marketing EroFort as an aphrodisiac. It comprises novel herbs such as epimedium, yohimbe, tribulus, as well as zinc. Others include HodroniC, aimed at the joint health market and containing hyaluronic acid and glucosamine; ApitoniQ 10, a blend of royal jelly and coenzyme Q10 being marketed on its antioxidant potential while HyaVita is an anti-wrinkle cosmeceutical that also employs hyaluronic acid. Of hyaluronic acid it noted it "is subjected to enzymatic decomposition by a Japanese patented technology to reduce its molecular weight. This makes possible hyaluronic acid absorption in the gastrointestinal tract after oral intake." Doctor Mom was being offered as herbal remedies for those suffering from colds, coughs and sore throats as well as smokers and consisted of lozenges and herbal syrups. "Doctor Mom consists solely of plant extracts," the company said. "Their combination leads to liquefaction of bronchial secretion and easier expectoration. The lozenges also have anti-inflammatory action, and they influence favourably throat ache. The syrup exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and spasmolytic action." The soft gel supplements arere being manufactured by Californian-based Soft Gel Technologies, the company said.
