Thiruvananthapuram, July 18 (IANS): Scientists at HLL Life Care here are not entering the multi-billion dollar business of sexual wellness products as they work on the next generation of male contraceptive, a senior official said Friday.
Speaking to IANS, M. Ayyappan, chairman and managing director of capital city headquartered mini-ratna public sector company HLL Life Care, said they have no plans to enter this line of business.
"Yes, we have diversified into so many sectors and one of our main businesses is the contraception market. We continue to come out with newer products in that segment, but we have not thought of entering the sexual wellness product line," he said.
HLL was established in 1966 with the objective of providing quality condoms for the National Family Planning Programme.
From a single product company, it has transformed to a total contraceptive company and is now a complete healthcare delivery company, which includes hospitals.
HLL's decision comes at a time when the country's largest e-tailer (Flipkart) has launched a new category where several sexual wellness products are up for sale.
Speaking to IANS, a professional who has returned from Britain said in the West there are special shops that sell a whole range of sex toys suiting both men and women. There is no taboo and no giggles when someone comes to the shop for sex toys.
"Look, companies like HLL, being under government control, will face the wrath of the so-called 'moral policemen' and will not enter into this money-spinning business. You just wait, the private sector is going to mint money as in the coming months and years, there will be companies coming out with such products," said the professional not willing to be identified.
At present, HLL has seven state-of-the art manufacturing facilities and 22 regional offices across India.