MSD Pharmaceuticals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co, plans to launch its branded drugs in the domestic market at lower rates compared to the prices in the developed countries, a top official of the company said.

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"From the very beginning, we are working on launching our drugs in the domestic market at India specific prices and in every six months we will be launching a new drug," MSD Pharmaceuticals India Managing Director Naveen A Rao told PTI.

The company, in October, had launched its cervical cancer vaccine under the brand 'GARDASIL', priced at Rs 10,000 for three shots, which is less than half of its rate in the US market.

The company had earlier announced plan to launch vaccines for Chicken pox, Hepatitis A, Rotavirus and Zoster in the next two-three years.

It has also initiate phase III clinical trials in the country for its upcoming medicines and has already working towards launching them in India.

After launching all its products in the next two-three years, the company expects to be the number one player in Rs 1,000 crore domestic vaccine market by 2013.

MSD today introduced its cervical cancer prevention programme 'GuardYourself', which comprises a comprehensive customer support programme, including help centres, customer support website and a call centre.

The company is planning to set up GuardYourself centres at over 1,800 clinics across the country and it also opened first such centre at Fortis La Femme Centre for Women in the capital.

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