Mumbai, Jan. 29: German drug firm Merck will launch more than 25 products in India this year.

It is also looking at acquisitions to meet its target of earning 500 million euros in the country by 2012.

According to Marek Dziki, managing director of Merck Ltd (India), around 10 of the new products will be over-the-counter drugs, while the rest will be prescription medicines.

In acquisitions, Dziki said the company would focus both on the valuation and the business model of the target firm. Merck was keen to buy products as well as companies.

Dziki was speaking to reporters after the launch of Femibion, a drug for women suffering from iron deficiency.

In India, Merck is present in the pharmaceuticals and chemical businesses. Its pharmaceuticals business has two divisions — prescription drugs and consumer healthcare.

Merc KGaA of Germany holds around 51 per cent in Merck Ltd.

Merck expects to grow at 30 per cent this calendar year, up from 24 per cent last year. In 2008, the company had raised its headcount by 1,000. Its sales and marketing team now comprises 2,700 people.

Femibion, a dietary supplement for the quick replenishment of iron reserves, will be priced at Rs 2.50 per capsule.

Dziki said the total anti-anaemia market in India was over Rs 740 crore and growing at 13.4 per cent.

A recent central government survey has revealed that nearly 56 per cent of women had anaemia.