The Chennai-based Indian Medical Practitioners' Cooperative Pharmacy and Stores Ltd (IMPCOPS), the only drug maker under the co-operative sector in Asia manufacturing drugs of the three traditional Indian systems of medicines under one roof, will soon set up a medicinal plant garden at its premises in Chennai.

The herbal garden will have over 500 rare medicinal plants, including a dozen odd endangered rare species of herbs found in Tamil Nadu. Coming up at a 4000 sq.ft area within the 9.2-acre complex at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, the herbal garden is being set up as part of the 60th year celebrations of IMPCOPS, according to Dr. Kumaradas MLA, president.

The organization is also conducting a two-day function on 6th and 7th of August 2004 as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations, participated by state level officials and dignitaries.

It may be noted that Pharmabiz had earlier reported on the plans of IMCOPS to celebrate its diamond jubilee in 2004 with projects like starting an undergraduate pharmacy course, setting up of a 200 bedded ISM hospital, and foraying into cultivation of medicinal herbs.

IMCOPS, started in 1944 by the then leading ISM practitioners in Tamil Nadu to make available quality and cheap drugs for their use, now manufactures about 800 medicines, including 250 odd Siddha drugs, 350 odd Ayurveda drugs and 180 odd Unani drugs. The firm has over 12,000 registered doctors as members, and has dozen odd sales depots in various parts of south India.

IMPCOPS, which continuously registered losses for the past few years, had registered a turnover of Rs 10 crore and Rs 6.3 lakhs profit during the 2002-'03 period. The firm has a net worth of over Rs 40 crore, and has manufacturing facilities including a partially modernized WHO-GMP certified plant in Chennai and a second manufacturing facility at Tadepalle in Andhra Pradesh.