Wolters Kluwer on health drive in India

Will reprint cheaper editions for local market

MUMBAI: Multinational publishing and information services company Wolters Kluwer Health, which set up its local subsidiary in January, is expanding presence in the country.

MS Mani, managing director, Wolters Kluwer (India) said, “We want to create more awareness of our products in Indian medical fraternity, even though our products are being sold through distributing agents. We plan direct marketing with the setting up of our own subsidiary in Delhi.”

However, he refused to divulge financial details. The €3.4-billion Wolters Kluwer NV also caters to, corporate, financial, tax, accounting, legal, regulation, and education segments. Wolters Kluwer Health caters to professionals and students in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharma industry.

“Cost is the major concern for the students and doctors as far as the medical publications are concerned. Our main focus in India is to reprint the medical publications at cheaper prices while adding material from the Indian context. We are to hire the Indian authors for reproducing the Indian versions,” said Mani.

The company, which currently employs 18 in its Delhi and Mumbai offices, plans to add more staff soon.

On inorganic growth, Mani said there was no merger and acquisition plan, though “a few Indian publication groups are in our radar.” Richard Hankins, sales director, Asia Pacific, said the company was in talks with major local and multinational pharmaceutical players for its various products.