The Mumbai based Ayurvedic Research Centre (ARC), India's first hospital for psoriasis, has commenced clinical trials in the United Kingdom for its drug Psoraban, for treating psoriasis, from the beginning of this month.

This marks the phase I trials with a time frame of three to six months. The drug awaits the approval of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) under the Department of Health in UK.

Dr Avinash Wanjarwadkar, superintendent of ARC in a talk with Pharmabiz said, "Actually we are on the verge of going international with a new branch in the UK. Our license for export will be issued soon and presently clinical trials are underway in London and the results are good and we look forward to a facility there soon. Dr Pramod Ambalkar and Dr Avinash Gaur, the London based private practitioners will be handling the trials in UK."

Talking of the challenges faced in this trial Dr Wanjarwadkar said, "For any drug, it is mandatory to get the nod of the concerned health regulating authority of the government. We are about to get the results of our medicine in a matter of three months that will be cross checked and verified by the MHRA and we are hopeful that we will get the approval and thus have a treatment for this disease."

When asked why the United Kingdom was preferred over other locations for the trials, he replied that many queries the ARC received were from the city of London and by doing clinical trial, the scope widens for the whole of Europe for drug once it is approved and accepted. He also added that the psoriasis cases in London were mild as per the case studies available and those who have volunteered for clinical trials. That's why ARC is planning a clinic here with personnel one MHRA gives the nod.

Talking about the drug Psoraban, Dr Wanjarwadkar said that it is an ayurvedic liquid mixture manufactured from herbs and plants whose ingredients have unique properties to overcome all types of Psoriasis in combination by masking the stimulus for activation of hyper-keratination and over growth.

According to Dr Wanjarwadkar, psoriasis is basically a skin disease. It is visible when chromosomal abnormalities occur and is a non-communicable disease. What case studies indicate is that infection of respiratory, urinary tract and windpipe can lead to this disease. There are five percent inherited cases of psoriasis till date.

Pointing out the difference in treatment of this disease, Dr Wanjarwadkar, says "Allopathic and Ayurveda follow two different sets of discipline where treatment procedures differ. Allopathy uses a combination of steroids and methotrexate, which is an anti cancer drug for treating psoriasis. Cancer involves an overgrowth of cells while psoriasis is due to overgrowth of skin. This does provide relief but not suitable over a long term considering the potentially serious side effects, including liver damage. On the other hand, ayurveda treats the abnormality through a dietary regime and medicine combination that curbs the disease," says Dr Wanjarwadkar.