A neuro and neuropathy range is a focused range: fewer prescribers than antibiotics or gastro, but steady, repeat prescriptions and a clear set of molecule families. For a PCD partner, it can sit alongside a general range or form the base of a more specialised territory.
This guide looks at the range from the trade side: who prescribes it, what partners usually stock, the balance between oral and injectable products, and how to choose a starting set.
Where the demand comes from
- Neurologists prescribe the widest part of the range, including specialist products.
- General physicians and diabetologists write many neuropathy combinations as part of their routine practice.
- Orthopaedic surgeons prescribe some neuropathy products alongside pain management.
- Hospitals and nursing homes use the injectable forms.
Because a large share of prescriptions are repeat prescriptions, a neuro range can give a partner steady monthly orders once doctors are writing the products.
Ask the chemists you visit which neuro products they reorder most; it is a quick guide to local prescribing.
The molecule families partners stock
In Ancare’s neuro and neuropathy range, for example, the products include:
- Methylcobalamin-based combinations, with pregabalin, gabapentin or nortriptyline, and with folic acid, pyridoxine, benfotiamine or biotin;
- Citicoline and piracetam formulations;
- Cerebroprotein products;
- other neurology products such as nimodipine and levetiracetam;
- injectable methylcobalamin and other injectable neurology products.
Methylcobalamin appears in 11 of Ancare’s 28 neuro products, which shows how central these combinations are to the range.
Dosage forms
Of the 28 products in Ancare’s neuro range at the time of writing, 12 are tablets, 3 capsules, 1 softgel capsule, 1 syrup and 11 injections. That is a high proportion of injectables for a range that is mostly prescribed in clinics:
- Tablets and capsules are the repeat-prescription products sold through chemists.
- Injections sell mainly to hospitals, nursing homes and clinics that administer them.
- Some products in this range, including several prescribed for long periods, need particular attention to the schedule printed on the pack and the record-keeping it requires.
Planning a starting set
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Do you visit neurologists, or mainly general physicians? | Specialists use a wider range; physicians focus on neuropathy combinations |
| Which combinations do your prescribers write? | Combinations differ by molecule and strength; stock the ones in use |
| Do you supply hospitals? | Decides whether to include injectables at the start |
| How quickly will repeat prescriptions build? | Start small and increase as monthly orders settle |
A common starting set is a handful of methylcobalamin combinations in the strengths your prescribers use, one or two citicoline or piracetam products, and injectables only if you supply hospitals.
Building the range over the first year
Months 1–3: the core combinations. Start with the methylcobalamin combinations your prescribers write most, in the strengths they use, and one pregabalin or gabapentin combination. These products carry the repeat prescriptions that make the range worthwhile.
Months 4–6: specialist products. Once you are visiting neurologists regularly, add citicoline, piracetam or cerebroprotein products in the forms they prescribe. If you supply hospitals or clinics that administer injections, add the injectable forms they use.
Months 7–12: complete the strengths. Neuro prescriptions often specify a particular strength. Fill in the strengths that doctors ask for and that you lost orders on in the first months.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Stocking specialist products before you have specialists. Without neurologists in your visit list, many specialist products move slowly.
- Too few strengths of the core products. Repeat prescriptions depend on the exact product the doctor started; a missing strength sends the patient to another brand.
- Overlooking schedules. Some products in this range fall under schedules with extra record-keeping. Check each pack and keep the records your licence requires.
- Irregular supply. Patients on long-term prescriptions need their product every month; plan reorders so that you never run out.
How to tell whether the range is working
Because neuro prescriptions repeat, the clearest sign is the monthly pattern of orders:
- the same chemists reordering the same products every month, which shows patients are refilling;
- neurologists asking for products you do not yet stock, which tells you what to add;
- steady demand for one or two strengths that you can now keep in larger quantities;
- injectables reordered by the same clinics or hospitals.
A neuro range that is working usually grows slowly but rarely drops back, so be patient for the first few months and track repeat orders rather than first orders.
Questions to ask the company about this range
- Which methylcobalamin combinations are in the range, and in which strengths?
- Which neuro products are available as injections, and how should they be stored?
- Do any products carry schedules with extra record-keeping for the seller?
- How reliably is each core product kept in stock, since patients refill monthly?
- What promotional material is available for neurologists and for general physicians?
Steady availability matters more in this range than a long product list, so weigh the fourth answer carefully.
Working the range with your other ranges
Neuropathy combinations are often prescribed by diabetologists and orthopaedic surgeons as well as neurologists. A partner who also carries the cardiac and diabetic range or the ortho and pain range can present neuro products on visits they are already making, which builds the range faster than relying on neurologists alone.
Promotion
Neuro products are often prescribed for long periods, so doctors value accurate information and reliable supply. Present the composition, strength and form clearly, leave clinical choices to the prescriber, and follow the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices. Running out of a product that patients take every day damages trust quickly, so keep an eye on stock.
Ancare’s neuro and neuropathy range
Ancare Life Sciences, Panchkula, markets 28 products in its neuro and neuropathy range, with full compositions and packs. Look up any salt in our products by composition index.
See what a PCD pharma franchise costs to plan your first order, or contact us for the price list for your area.