The Chennai-based Cholayil Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., manufacturer of the largest selling Ayurvedic soap Medimix, some popular cosmetics and OTC Ayurvedic products, may soon emerge as a major Ayurvedic classical formulation manufacturer in South India.

Cholayil, which forayed into manufacturing of some Ayurvedic OTC products and a few prescription drugs in the last three years, plans to manufacture 300 to 400 patent and proprietary medicines in Ayurveda and to establish a network under the Cholayil brand within one to two years, A V Anoop, director, Cholayil exclusively told Pharmabiz.

"Though we are basically a traditional Ayurvedic player and grew with that tradition, we are yet to seriously look at drug manufacturing in a major way. In the recent years, we launched several drugs and OTC products with base on Ayurveda, and at present make some classical formulations in a small way for our inpatients at the health multiplex. Though we were not manufacturing Ayurvedic drugs in a major way, we have been organizing Ayurvedic congresses and seminars in the recent past. Entering the classical formulation business is part of our natural growth strategy," said Anoop.

As part of the growth plans, Cholayil is soon launching a few new prescription drugs. This includes Medimix Ayurveda Skin Oil for general skin disorders, infection, allergies, scabies etc. The product will be launched initially in the Kerala market. Besides, the company will soon launch Liniment Ooril, a pain and muscular pain reliving drug and an appetizer capsule. Currently, other popular prescription drugs of Cholayil include Grahi gastro intestinal disorder corrective capsule, Sundari post natal care capsule, Yakritha liver tonic, Rituta tonic for menstrual disorder and fast moving OTC products like Medimix cough syrup and Tejaswini skin care capsule.

Cholayil has already set up one among the most advanced ISM drug testing laboratories in South India and it is the first approved laboratory of its kind in Tamil Nadu. The Rs 2-crore odd invested lab, at present used for in-house drug standardization, is open for other ISM drug manufacturers as well, informed top-level Cholayil sources.

The Medimix Ayurveda soap is claimed to have included ingredients of 18 medicated herbs with properties to cure skin disorders and is innovated from traditional Ayurvedic manuscripts. At present the Rs 200 crore odd Cholayil group manufactures many varieties of the soap and markets to almost all parts of the world. Cholayil also makes a variety of hair care and cosmetics, including the popular Cuticura powder, acquired by the group two years ago.