Leading pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy Laboratories on Friday announced the launch of its first branded prescription product, Visclair, in the United Kingdom.

The brand will be promoted to health professionals by Ranbaxy respiratory sales team, the new brands division of Ranbaxy (UK) Ltd, a company release said in New Delhi.

Visclair is a mucolytic drug that aids the expectoration of viscous mucus, a problem associated with chronic cough and respiratory infections such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is the fifth commonest cause of death in England and Wales, accounting for approximately 30,000 deaths each year.

Commenting on the launch, Malavinder Mohan Singh, president, pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy, said: "The launch of Visclair is a significant step towards our committed foray to enter the branded prescription segment in the UK market and emerge strongly in the branded business."