Capsules sit in almost every PCD range, from antibiotics and gastro products to vitamins and omega-3. They look simple, but the shell, the fill and the storage conditions all affect how well a capsule survives the trip from plant to chemist shelf.
The companies on this page offer capsules as part of their franchise ranges. Check their product lists, then read on before you decide which range to take.
Shells and fills
Hard gelatin, HPMC and softgel
Hard gelatin capsules are the standard two piece shells most of us know. They are cheap, easy to fill and work for most powders and granules. Gelatin comes from animal sources, which some patients ask about.
HPMC capsules, often sold as veg capsules, use a plant based shell. They carry less moisture than gelatin, so they suit fills that react with water, and they appeal to vegetarian patients. The shell costs more, so the product rate is a little higher.
Softgels are one piece sealed capsules that hold oils and liquids. Vitamin E, omega-3, calcitriol combinations and many multivitamins come as softgels. Patients like them because they are easy to swallow and look premium. Note that many softgels, especially omega-3 and multivitamin products, are sold under FSSAI as health supplements, not as drugs. Their label claims are restricted, and your MR should speak about them accordingly.
Pellet filled capsules
Some of the best selling capsules in Indian gastro practice are filled with small coated pellets, not plain powder. Omeprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole with domperidone SR are common examples. The pellets carry an enteric coat so the PPI is not destroyed by stomach acid, and in combinations one set of pellets can be made for slow release.
Pellet quality differs between suppliers. When you compare two companies for a PPI capsule, ask who makes the pellets and whether the company can share the COA for the batch you receive. A cheaper rate sometimes means a weaker pellet coat, and doctors notice when patients come back with the same complaint.
Humidity, storage and packing
Capsule shells react to the weather. In very humid conditions gelatin shells soften and stick together. In very dry storage they turn brittle and crack. Both problems show up as complaints from chemists and returns.
- Store cartons off the floor, away from walls that take sunlight, and not in a tin shed godown in peak summer.
- Prefer alu-alu packing for moisture sensitive fills. Blister packing is fine for stable products in moderate climates.
- Softgels in bottles need a tight cap and a desiccant; check that the company includes one.
- Look at the shelf life printed on the first lot. Ask for stock with most of its shelf life left, not near expiry stock.
During monsoon, open one strip from each new lot before you send it out. If capsules are soft or stuck, inform the company at once and ask for replacement under their breakage and damage policy.
Terms to compare across companies
Ask every company for the PTR, PTS and MRP of each capsule, and work out your margin product by product. Softgels and PPI capsules usually carry better margins than plain antibiotic capsules, but they also face more competition from big brands.
When you shortlist a capsule franchise, compare the minimum first order, the monopoly area offered, dispatch time and the promotional inputs. For a capsule franchise focused on gastro and nutrition, visual aids and product cards that explain the pellet technology or the softgel content help your MR in front of doctors. Also check whether the company takes back short expiry stock and how quickly it settles damage claims.
Post your capsule requirement
To get rates without calling ten companies, use the free requirement form on this page. Mention the capsules you need (for example, "PPI pellet capsules, omega-3 softgels and a vitamin range"), your district or state, a rough first order value and when you plan to start. Your number stays private. The requirement goes only to companies that run a capsule franchise in that range and area, and they contact you with their offer.
Related pages: PCD Pharma Franchise Company For Syrups and Tablets. Molecules most listed here: Folic Acid, Methylcobalamin, Zinc.
