As demand for ayurvedic medicines is on a downhill curve in its traditional hub Kerala, Gujarat is on a steady growth curve as far as demand for the alternative medication is concerned. Moreover, the state is banking on exporting bulk of its manufactured products to boost production.
Jaman Malviya, vice president of Gujarat Ayurved Aushadh Manufacturers Association (GAAMA) and also owner of Sunrise Remedies private ltd, a Gandhinagar-based manufacturer of ayurvedic drugs, said, "From a pure consumer point of view, there is no slowdown in demand in the recent years. There are more than 90 pure-play ayurvedic shops in Ahmedabad itself. However, the industry cannot grow in the longterm, by just banking on demand from within the state. Almost 50-60 per cent of the production in Gujarat is exported to countries across the globe including African nations, the Gulf countries and other Asian countries."
There are around 681 registered ayurvedic manufacturers in the state, as against 2047 allopathic units, informed the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA).
The ayurvedic industry has been growing steadily at 10-12 per cent annually and has now touched Rs 8,000-10,000 crore turnover combining both domestic and exports, Malviya claimed. Manufacturers are increasingly focussing on tapping new export markets to expand their business. Sunrise Remedies expects a nod from the US drug regulator within this month to market one of its over the counter medicines in the US market.
Surat-based Ansal industries too is looking at starting exports to Bangladesh and Gulf countries from this fiscal. Aquila Labs and Ayurveda Herbals who currently export to neighbouring countries is looking at tapping the market in African countries. Ayurvedic drug manufacturer Nagarjun Pharmaceuticals is also planning to invest close to Rs 100 crore this year to expand its manufacturing capacity.
However, as Malviya pointed out, the recent imposition of a 4 per cent excise on the maximum retail price of ayurvedic medicines priced above Rs 100, can result in a temporary slowdown in the demand,as prices are likely to move up.
According to a recent survey by the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), demand for ayurvedic medicines in Kerala is on the decline for the last several years. About five years ago, the number of pharmacies in Kerala was 10,000 and which is reduced to 9000 now, the survey said.
In comparison, the number of pharmacies in Gujarat has grown from around 8500 around five years back to over 12,000 now, claimed industry insiders. H G Koshia, commissioner Gujarat FDCA said, "After a revised Schedule T was introduced around five years back, some manufacturing units which could not comply to new norms, had to shut down. But, ever since, there has been a steady growth in both number of manufacturing units as well as pharmacies."
