MUMBAI: Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) has announced its entry into India with the launch of Saatchi & Saatchi Health.

Saatchi & Saatchi Health India is a part of Saatchi Focus, a specialist, knowledge based communications agency operating in India for the last 12 years and working with clients in the healthcare, technology, business and talent sectors.

PHCG Asia Pacific president Ash Kuchel said, "We are delighted to launch Saatchi & Saatchi Health in India under the PHCG network. PHCG is committed to serve the needs of healthcare markets around the world. We are delighted to enter India, marrying our innovative solutions and local expertise in a country that is a catalyst for growth in emerging markets.”

For PHCG, India represents a significant growth opportunity for with rapid growth expected over the coming years. According to the Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers’ and Government of India reports, India is the third largest producer of pharmaceuticals in the world and is already a $8.2 billion pharmaceutical market, with growth expectations of 10-14 per cent per year. IMS Health predicts India will add $5-15 billion to the pharmaceutical market through 2013.

Saatchi & Saatchi Health and Saatchi & Saatchi Focus CEO Malavika Harita said, “Our agency vision echoes the PHCG promise of delivering ‘ideas of purpose’. We look forward to collaborating with our new sister agencies, bringing our progressive thinking and outstanding creative ability to the network.”

In addition to the opportunities provided to PHCG by Saatchi & Saatchi Health, this entry into India reinforces PHCG’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier this year, PHCG launched Beacon Healthcare in Japan and last year, it opened a Publicis Life Brands office in Shanghai.