Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. General information for pharmaceutical distributors and healthcare professionals. It is not medical or legal advice. Treatment decisions belong to a registered medical practitioner, and rules change, so check the current official text linked below.
Dermatology is one of the most crowded areas in Indian pharma marketing, and also one of the most rewarding for a distributor who builds it carefully. Skin complaints bring patients to clinics and chemists all year. Dermatologists, general physicians and paediatricians all prescribe derma products, and many items are repeat purchases.
There is a catch, though. The derma segment has also been badly hurt by irrational combinations and the misuse of topical steroids, and India's dermatologists have spent years dealing with the results. A derma PCD franchise that ignores this history may sell quickly at first, but it will struggle to earn the trust of the doctors who matter most.
This guide explains how to start a derma PCD pharma franchise in India in a way that holds up: the clinical context, how to plan a portfolio, the licences you need, how to promote responsibly, and what to check before you sign with a company.
What is a derma PCD pharma franchise?
A PCD (Propaganda-cum-Distribution) franchise lets a distributor market a pharmaceutical company's branded products in an agreed territory. The company supplies the products and promotional material. The franchise partner handles doctor visits, chemist and stockist supply, and local relationships.
A derma PCD franchise focuses that model on dermatology: antifungals, antibacterial ointments, medicated soaps and shampoos, and supportive skincare. Many distributors add it alongside a general range. Others make it their main specialty because dermatology prescribers tend to be loyal to products they trust.
If you are still comparing companies in general, start with our due-diligence checklist for choosing a PCD pharma franchise company. This article stays with the questions that are specific to dermatology.
Why dermatology needs a responsible approach in India
The recalcitrant tinea problem
Dermatophytosis (tinea, or "ringworm") has long been common in India. What changed was its behaviour. In 2020, the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) Task Force against Recalcitrant Tinea (ITART) published a consensus statement on managing glabrous tinea, known as INTACT. It described an "unprecedented increase" over the previous six to seven years in recurrent, chronic, recalcitrant and steroid-modified dermatophytosis, together with a notable decrease in clinical response to commonly used antifungals at conventional doses and durations (Rengasamy et al., Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2020;11(4):502–519).
The consensus, built with a Delphi method among 17 dermatologists, reached agreement on 90 of 132 statements. For a distributor, the key points are:
- Combination therapy is the norm. The experts recommended combining systemic and topical antifungals for glabrous tinea in the current scenario.
- Itraconazole and terbinafine are first-line systemic options, with griseofulvin and fluconazole as alternatives.
- Topical corticosteroids were strongly discouraged, whether used alone or in combination with other components.
- Adherence and follow-up matter. Patient counselling, compliance and regular follow-up were described as key, and longer treatment was suggested for chronic, recurrent and steroid-modified cases.
The authors also noted that the evidence base is limited and more research is needed. Treat the consensus as expert guidance for doctors, not as a marketing script.
Why steroid combinations hurt the whole category
For years, creams that combine a potent steroid with antifungals and antibacterials were widely sold and often used without a prescription. Steroids can make a fungal rash look better for a while and then worsen it. This is one reason the INTACT experts discouraged topical steroids in tinea.
The practical lesson for a franchise partner is simple. Dermatologists notice what a company promotes. If your bag is full of steroid "cocktail" creams, many specialists will stop listening. A range built around appropriate antifungals, antibacterials and skincare is easier to promote honestly and earns more credibility over time.
Before you take on any fixed-dose combination (FDC), check it against CDSCO's FDC page and the consolidated list of drugs prohibited under Section 26A. Ask the company for the approval status of each combination in writing.
Planning your derma portfolio
A useful derma range answers the questions a prescriber and a chemist actually face. Think in therapy groups rather than in a long list of brands.
1. Systemic antifungals
Oral antifungals such as itraconazole sit at the centre of many tinea prescriptions in India today. They are prescription medicines, so they are promoted to doctors, not to the public. Check strengths, pack sizes and availability, because prescribers often use more than one strength.
2. Topical antifungals
Creams and ointments based on azole or allylamine antifungals are the topical half of combination therapy. Check that each product's composition and dosage form on the label match the company's product literature.
3. Topical antibacterials
Antibacterial ointments are used for selected bacterial skin infections. Good antimicrobial stewardship means promoting them only for their approved indications.
4. Medicated soaps and shampoos
Medicated soaps and shampoos are repeat-purchase items that chemists like to stock. Some contain a drug ingredient, such as an antifungal. Others are cosmetic in nature. The regulatory category affects labelling and licensing (see the licensing section below).
5. Supportive skincare
Gentle cleansers and moisturising products round out the range and help in regular conversations with dermatologists and cosmetologists. Promote them with modest, accurate wording, not with treatment claims.
A balanced portfolio gives you something relevant for each visit without pushing products a doctor would not choose.
Aerochem's derma range: what is in the catalogue
Aerochem Neutron's portfolio covers 250+ formulations across therapy areas, and our live online catalogue currently lists 135 products. The Derma Range category includes, for example:
- Fungi-Care Cap. 100 mg: Itraconazole 100 mg capsules.
- Fungi-Care Cap. 200 mg: Itraconazole 200 mg capsules.
- Ohbact: Mupirocin IP 2% w/w ointment.
- Katrina: Ketoconazole 2% w/w soap.
- Gladly: Aloe vera 4% + Glycerin 2% + Vitamin E (Acetate) 0.25% soap.
The compositions above are taken from each product page. Prescription products should be used only as directed by a registered medical practitioner and according to the approved product information. Ask us for current pack details, availability in your territory and product literature before you place an order.
For an overview of territory terms for this specialty, see our Derma PCD pharma franchise page.
Licences you need
Wholesale drug licence (Forms 20B and 21B)
To stock and supply drugs, a distributor needs a wholesale licence from the state drugs control authority under the Drugs Rules, 1945:
- Form 20B is the wholesale licence for drugs other than those in Schedules C, C(1) and X.
- Form 21B is the wholesale licence for drugs in Schedules C and C(1), excluding Schedule X.
Many distributors hold both. Schedule X drugs need a separate licence. Requirements such as a qualified or experienced person, premises and storage are set by the Drugs Rules and applied by each state, so check your state drugs control department's current checklist. The Drugs Rules are available from CDSCO.
You will also need GST registration. Aerochem asks for a valid wholesale drug licence and GST registration during PCD franchise onboarding.
Prescription status and storage
Many derma drugs, including oral antifungals, are prescription medicines. Make sure your chemists understand they must be sold against a prescription, and follow label storage conditions. Creams and ointments can be damaged by heat during transport and storage.
Cosmetic products
If a soap or skincare item is a cosmetic rather than a drug, it falls under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, which have their own labelling and licensing requirements. Ask the company how each product is classified and licensed, and keep that information on file.
Promoting derma products responsibly (UCPMP 2024)
The Department of Pharmaceuticals' Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 governs drug promotion in India. The current consolidated text is "Updated as on 1.9.2025" and was issued with Circular No. 3 of 2025 dated 1 September 2025. It is available on the DoP UCPMP portal (direct PDF).
In dermatology, a few points come up again and again:
- Claims must be balanced, verifiable and capable of substantiation (clause 1.3). The word "safe" must not be used without qualification, and a medicine must not be described categorically as having no side effects (clause 2.2). In derma promotion, dramatic before-and-after images and "fastest relief" promises are common traps.
- Promote prescription drugs to healthcare professionals. Promotional material must not carry matter that could be regarded as advertising to the lay public (clause 3.9).
- Samples are controlled. Under clause 5.1, free samples go only to persons qualified to prescribe the product, with record-keeping and value limits. Follow the company's sample policy exactly.
- No gifts for the personal benefit of healthcare professionals or their family members (clause 8.1).
Promotion that follows these rules protects your licence, your company's reputation and your relationship with doctors. In the long run, it is also more effective with dermatologists, who see a lot of exaggerated claims.
Choosing a derma PCD company: questions to ask
The general checks in our PCD franchise due-diligence checklist apply here too: licences, manufacturing partners, territory rights, pricing and support. For dermatology, add these questions:
- Is each product's composition clear and consistent? Compare the label, the product page and the visual aid.
- Is every FDC approved and not on a prohibited list? Ask for this in writing.
- How heavily does the range rely on topical steroid combinations? A range led by appropriate antifungals and antibacterials is easier to promote.
- Who manufactures the products, and under which licence? Aerochem coordinates production through eligible licensed facility partners and does not claim to own a manufacturing plant. Ask any company for the manufacturer's name and licence number on the label.
- Is the promotional material compliant? Visual aids and literature should follow UCPMP 2024.
- Can you work out your margins? Use tools such as our PTR and PTS calculator and pharma scheme and profit calculator before committing.
Starting your derma franchise: a practical sequence
- Study your territory. Count dermatologists, skin clinics, general physicians and chemists. Note which derma brands they already use.
- Get your licences in order. Wholesale drug licence (Forms 20B/21B as applicable) and GST.
- Shortlist companies with clear, approved compositions and a rational derma range.
- Agree terms in writing: territory, product list, pricing, minimum orders, returns and expiry handling.
- Start with a focused range. A few well-chosen antifungal, antibacterial and skincare products are better than a large range you cannot promote properly.
- Train your team on the products' approved uses and on UCPMP rules.
- Track prescriptions and stock at chemists, and review your range every few months.
Frequently asked questions
Is a derma PCD franchise a good option for a new distributor? It can be, because skin conditions are common and many derma products are repeat purchases. Success depends on territory research, a rational product range and steady relationships with prescribers and chemists. No company can guarantee sales or returns.
Which licence do I need for a derma PCD franchise? Usually a wholesale drug licence from your state drugs control authority: Form 20B for drugs other than Schedules C, C(1) and X, and Form 21B for Schedule C and C(1) drugs. You also need GST registration. Cosmetic products fall under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
What does the IADVL consensus say about steroids in tinea? The 2020 IADVL ITART consensus (INTACT) strongly discouraged topical corticosteroid use in glabrous tinea, whether alone or combined with other ingredients.
Can I promote derma products directly to patients? Prescription drugs should be promoted to healthcare professionals, not advertised to the public. Follow UCPMP 2024 and the company's promotional policy.
Does Aerochem manufacture its own products? Aerochem Neutron coordinates production through eligible licensed facility partners. We do not claim to own a manufacturing plant.
Next step
If you are planning a derma range for your area, check whether your territory is open.
Check PCD Franchise Territory Availability
Prefer to talk first? Contact our team with your city and licence details.
Sources
- Rengasamy M, et al. IADVL Task Force against Recalcitrant Tinea (ITART) Consensus on the Management of Glabrous Tinea (INTACT). Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020;11(4):502–519. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_233_20. https://journals.lww.com/idoj/fulltext/2020/11040/indian_association_of_dermatologists,.4.aspx
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, UCPMP 2024, consolidated "Updated as on 1.9.2025", Circular No. 3 of 2025 dated 1.9.2025. https://ucmp.pharma-dept.gov.in/Pharma/UCPMP%202024%20for%20website_0.pdf
- CDSCO, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 (Forms 20B, 21B). https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Acts-and-rules/
- CDSCO, Fixed Dose Combinations. https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Drugs/FDC/
- CDSCO, Consolidated list of drugs prohibited under Section 26A. https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadConsumer/Updated%20Banned%20Drugs%20List%20(1).pdf
