Medicinal Plants for Modern Health Care – How does India Fare?

Though India is a storehouse of a variety of medicinal plant, we have not yet put our focus on the growth and development of this market both in the domestic and international arena. This article studies the Indian scenario in great detail.

There is a renewed focus throughout the world on the role of medicinal plants and traditional system of health management. The result has been an increased trade of such medicinal plants, much to the detriment of the natural habitat and environment of the countries of origin from where these plants are being uprooted. Though most developing countries have always treated traditional system of healthcare management as an integral part of their culture, colonial pressures have often resulted in set backs in the practice of such systems particularly in a country like India. Despite acquiring independence over 50 years ago, unfortunately this country still suffers from post-British hangovers which have made western allopathic medication the preferred choice of people of India particularly in the urban belts. The result has been a near-disaster, with a non-existing primary healthcare system and a dilapidated veterinary health care structure. One of the reasons attributed for this disastrous situation could be that the western system of critical health care management is too slow; taking over 5 years to train a doctor, it is perhaps incapable to manage the healthcare system of a country which is brimming with over a billion in population, and still growing!

The solution to this issue is perhaps obvious. There ought to be a rigorous and urgent revival of the traditional Indian system of medication like Ayurveda and Siddha. This has to be backed by a methodical investment plan in the culture of medicinal plants along with the requisite trained manpower to translate the age-old sciences into modern and practical applications. In this regard, China is a glowing example of how to retain traditionalism and yet put it to relevant use to cure modern ailments. The success of Chinese traditional medical practice is evident by its market share which is 40%. In fact, in rural China 90% of all medicines used have their origin in traditional methods. The market for Chinese traditional medicines has doubled in the past 5 years with majority of formulations made in Chinese pharmaceutical factories having traditional roots. Most of their formulations have plant origin and they have a successful export market too. Though Chinese medicines find a ready market in Asian countries like India, etc. but they are also slowly making inroads in to Canadian, European and American markets.

There is a lesson for India to be learnt from this. Not only should it concentrate on developing the domestic market but must simultaneously tap the international market where there is a constant growing demand for medicinal plants. Taking a cue from the growing popularity of phyto, we can easily see the acceptance of plant-based medicines both in Europe and the US. Official statistics tell us that the market for herbal drugs and cosmetics would touch approximately a few billion dollars annually, with a visible upward trend. The stupendous success of Shenaz Hussain herbal products both in India and abroad is an example of how a well-researched and world-class range of cosmetics with herbal origin can achieve in a competitive market place.

The action plan for India should not just aim for exporting medicinal plants abroad but consider adding more value to their produce. Manufacturing phyto products to international standards is a viable option in this regard. There is no dearth of talent and expertise in India where even small scale manufacturers can be trained to produce goods of international specifications with in a short time. It is unfortunate that most Asian countries are happy to merely exporting raw materials when they have the infrastructure and the expertise to add more value to their export products. Lack of adequate financial resources and a focused approach are the main obstacles faced by India and other similar countries. The net result is that 90% of all finished products are still getting manufactured in Europe and North America.

It is a fact that countries like Europe and America continue to import a lot of raw materials in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). With its long standing reputation of practicing alternative medicine, Germany is one of the biggest importers of unprocessed medicinal plants and subsequently one of the biggest offenders of CITES guidelines. Along with allopathic systems of medication, there are a lot of alternative therapies followed in rather conservative health institutions like university clinics and government hospitals. In fact, Von Ardennnes’ oxygen enrichment therapy is as popular as Ayurveda and acupuncture. Germany which is the home to homeopathy, not only uses plants of European origin like lavender, rosemary and gentian for their therapeutic values, but has conveniently taken many plants from other cultures to be included in alternative and traditional therapy regimens.

Policy governing the growth, culture and use of medicinal plants are issues of paramount importance. While its extended use is good for the health of humanity, but its growth and culture should also be carefully monitored so that depletion is matched by equal opportunities for re-growth. It is important to remember that unless we replenish what we are using, we would soon run out of this important source of health and well-being. Already there is price fluctuations noticed in the herbal market which usually appears every six to nine years. This is due to the fact that the availability of wild plants and herbs swings from an oversupply situation to a stark scarcity which stabilizes soon. These extreme market situations are indicative of the fact that the crop is over-harvested and thus there is a shortage in supplies, which result in a price hike. Therefore, these price fluctuations should be taken by the respective governments as signals that some of the herbs are getting over-used and getting endangered. Steps should be taken immediately to regulate its growth so that extinction can be avoided.

In India a peculiar situation prevails with regard to medicinal plants. on one hand there is no regulation regarding its procurement or sale. On the other, there is no control on the finished products derived from these medicinal plants also. The Drugs Controller of India, the supreme authority in control of the quality and other important aspects of the drug market in this country has no role to play when it is a matter of natural or medicinal plants. They have not been empowered with the authority to examine the ingredients, the efficacy or any other aspect of herbal products which are available in this country. This has led to, and understandably so, many spurious and adulterated ingredients being used which are sold in the name of herbal products and marketed by herbal drug companies.

One of the primary requirements, if India ever wants to be amongst the top players in the phyto and herbal cosmetic market in the world, is to have far more stringent quality control measures both at the procurement and at the manufacturing levels. Operations have to be more transparent and regulated, as in China who has very strict quality parameters as well as deploy very strict monitoring methods in matters related to sales of plant-based medicines. One of the important lessons to be learnt from China is how to ensure consistent quality in their products which forms the basis of their goodwill and reputation in the market. Whether the products are made for local consumption or for the export market, all Chinese brands are processed through stiff quality control measures. Each of the pharmaceutical factories in China has their own quality control set ups who conduct random checks on their production.

The reason why products made in China can ensure such consistently high quality has a lot to do with their attitude and sense of pride. Whatever products they make, they ensure that nothing should happen to tarnish the image of Chinese products in the market. Rather than concentrating on controlling costs and hiking up profits, they concentrate more on ensuring consistently high quality standards of their products. The government also has a role to play in the maintenance of strict quality standards as it has laid down very rigid rules in this matter. The maker of each traditional medicine has to list the ingredients which are then verified by reviewing authorities. The products are only allowed to be released in the domestic and export market after it has met with all the quality parameters as specified in Chinese traditional medicine, in terms of safety and efficacy. The reviews and approvals are not done by any government official, but people who are specially trained in Chinese traditional medicine.

It is obvious that the Chinese know the severe criticism and skepticism with which their medicines would be viewed in the global arena. So to get easy and quick acceptance of their products, they have not only combined the traditional medication with modern medical system, they have also laid overt emphasis on transparency of operation, quality assurance as well as standardization. To do this they have focused on upgrading and modernizing the medicine production. Instead of verbalizing their intentions, which is so common in India, they have actually worked out feasible solutions and working methods with a real-life and practical approach. This is evident from the close network of their field scientists, pharmacologists and clinicians who all work for a common goal in an integrated manner.

The traditional Indian medical system including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and a host of other lesser know medical sciences which were one practiced in the tribal regions of this country holds a tremendous wealth of knowledge and possibilities. Unfortunately we have not yet developed any feasible strategy to integrate all the people who are involved in these sciences and expose their efficacies to the modern world. Unless we pay more attention to the great many details which can expose this hidden wealth and translate them into handsome export earnings, we would be where we are. Our lack of planning and foresight is making us incapable of providing even the barest minimum affordable health care to the most deserving members of our population.

Original Article Source: http://www.medicalneeds.com

Niche Profit Sites by