India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Bayer’s Consumer Health division has debuted Alka-Seltzer in India’s OTC digestive health segment, introducing an antacid with probiotic support designed to provide relief from acidity, gas and indigestion.
The company is introducing the product in an effervescent powder sachet format designed to provide relief from acidity, gas and indigestion while also supporting gut health.
The launch comes at a time when digestive health concerns are becoming increasingly common among Indian consumers.
According to Bayer, nearly 12% of consumers experience digestive or gut health issues daily, while 59% report facing such problems every week. Around 80% of consumers also believe that digestive health issues can contribute to long-term lifestyle diseases.
With the launch of Alka-Seltzer, Bayer is expanding its Consumer Health portfolio into the digestive health category in India. The company describes the product as India’s first antacid in the AYUSH category with probiotic support.
According to Sandeep Verma, Head of South Asia, Bayer’s Consumer Health Division, the antacid category has remained largely unchanged for years despite evolving consumer needs and lifestyles.
He said the new product has been developed to offer both quick relief from digestive discomfort and support for long-term digestive wellness. Verma also highlighted that the product has been developed using local consumer insights and is manufactured entirely in India.
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Digestive discomfort remains a common concern among urban consumers across the country. Bayer estimates that nearly seven in ten consumers experience digestive issues either weekly or daily.
Acidity accounts for 37% of reported digestive complaints, followed by gas at 33% and indigestion at 20%. Experts attribute these concerns largely to modern lifestyle factors, including irregular eating patterns, stress and sedentary habits.
The growing awareness around gut health has also increased consumer interest in products that go beyond symptom relief and support overall digestive well-being.
Alka-Seltzer is being launched as an Ayurvedic effervescent powder available in lemon flavor and packaged in single-use sachets for convenience.
The formulation is designed to help neutralize excess stomach acid and provide relief from acidity, gas and indigestion. It also contains Lactobacillus derived from curd extract, which is intended to support gut health.
According to Bayer, acidity can disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, and the product has therefore been developed to combine digestive relief with probiotic support in a single formulation.
The product will be available through e-pharmacies, quick-commerce platforms and retail outlets across India.
The launch represents Bayer’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the self-care and consumer healthcare segment by introducing science-led solutions for everyday health concerns.
Bayer’s launch of Alka-Seltzer marks its entry into India’s expanding digestive health market with a product that combines antacid relief and probiotic support. As digestive and gut health concerns continue to rise among consumers, the company is positioning the brand to address both immediate discomfort and long-term digestive wellness.
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