The Thiruvananthapuram-based Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), a Mini Ratna PSU, in partnership with Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Saala (AVS), the renowned ayurvedic institution in Kerala, will be introducing a range of ayurvedic products in the area of women health care, health generics, symptomatic relief, neutraceutical and personal healthcare, in the domestic market soon. A MoU in this regard has been signed between the two companies already.

According to sources from HLL, the company will also be taking these products to the international markets focusing on the merits and efficacy of the traditional Ayurveda system originated India. By introducing Herbal Healthcare products through ethical and over the counter (OTC) route, HLL is expanding its portfolio to benefit millions of people in India and abroad.

J Jayaraj, chief public relations officer of HLL told Pharmabiz that recently HLL launched 'Lactohil', an ayurvedic proprietary medicine to address inadequate lactation after delivery in women, in a special function in Jaipur in Rajastan in collaboration with AVS. He said according to some research the inadequate lactation is one therapeutic area where there is less scope for allopathic drugs and the only alternative is ayurvedic formulations and Lactohil has shown satisfactory results. It is purely a herbal galactagogue and also serves as health tonic to physically weak nursing mothers, he added.

Speaking on HLL's foray into the realm of natural products, M Ayyappan, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Latex Limited said, 'In India, the market for Herbal medicine is all set to lookup with an expected growth rate of 12-15 per cent in the years ahead. Herbal medicines have come into vogue with promise of wellness, with no side effects. With AVS, we go back to nature, to offer a world of wellness and accessibility with traditional, time tested and superior ayurvedic formulations to all."

Hindustan Latex has gained recognition as the largest contraceptive manufacturing and marketing organisation in the country. With an ambitious growth plan the company has diversified into pharmaceutical business by offering range of women health products through a new Strategic Business Unit (SBU) - Women's Health Care Division, during the last financial year.

AVS manages ayurvedic hospitals at Kottakkal, Delhi and Kochi. It has all classical ayurvedic medicines and therapies, and expert medical advice is available there. AVS has two modern medicine manufacturing units, has well equipped quality control labs, has full fledged research activities, publishes ayurvedic periodicals and books, cultivates medicinal plants and conducts educational programmes.