Dr Reddy`s Laboratories is looking at expanding its private label drug business in the US, reports Economic Times.

The company is planning to partner with at least half a dozen US retail chains to enhance its share in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. The plan is to launch around 8-10 prescription drugs in the US over the next 12-18 months.

The products of the company under the private label sales are branded as the products of retail chains and sold in their supermarkets.
For example, Walmart is selling Dr Reddy`s (Q, N,C,F)* Laboratories Ranitidine 150 mg and 75 mg under its brand name `Equate`. The company has exclusive marketing rights for the drug and is also selling it through other players such as CVS, Target among others.

Some of the drugs planned for launch include Naproxen sodium 220 mg, Famotidine pepsin 10 and 20 mg and pentaprazole. The company forayed into the over-the-counter drug segment in the first half of 2007 on its own. The move came from the firm after it broke its 15-year exclusive OTC product development and marketing pact with US food supplement major Leiner Health Products.

Shares of Dr Reddy`s Laboratories gained Rs 2.45, or 0.4%, to trade at Rs 614.4. The total volume of shares traded was 4,424 at the BSE. (10.27 a.m, Monday)