The Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy Limited (KAPL), one among the leading Ayurvedic drug manufacturers in Kerala, will soon enter the OTC segment in a big way. The company will also be validating its drugs as per the modern parameters to tap the potential for Ayurveda in global markets.

KAPL plans to soon launch five OTC products in the areas of post-delivery care, post natal care, diabetic diet, medicated hair oil, and pain management. The idea is to increase the OTC basket to about 20 products within two years, mainly aimed to boost the share of export turnover which at present consists only 15 per cent of the turnover, Dr. K Anil Kumar, managing director of KAPL told Pharmabiz.

He said the company launched an anti-oxidant immuno modulator drug 'Immugest' tablets about two months ago and the initial response from the market is encouraging. Another product, Keshini hair, will be launched by October, this year.

The other products in the pipeline include Renogest tablets for urinary track infection and Natcare, a calcium and iron food supplement during pregnancy period. The R&D wing of KAPL is in the process of developing a drug for Parkinsons disease, and clinical trials have started for validating an austeopsoris drug, revealed Anil Kumar.

In a recent development, KAPL entered into a tie-up with the Kochi-based Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) to conduct joint clinical research for fine-tuning and revalidating its popular anti-cholesterol drug 'Liposem'. As per the MoU, AIMS will conduct clinical trials among 110 patients over a period of time to study the safety and efficacy of the drug according to modern parameters. Advanced clinical trials as per modern parameters have also been planned for the anti-diabetic drug Glymin and Promactil, the male anti-infertility drug to improve sperm count. KAPL at present manufactures about 30 patent and proprietary medicines and over 300 classical formulations with a turnover to the tune of about Rs 15 crore, informed the managing director.

He said the company would focus on exports in a major way in future. At present, KAPL's products are exported to countries like Japan, Malaysia, USA, Switzerland, UK etc. KAPL eyes the markets of Europe, Latin America and some of the African countries in near future, especially for the OTC drugs. Its anti diabetic drug Glymin has established a good market presence in the Japanese market.

In the domestic market, KAPL will strengthen its presence by starting own treatment centers and retail outlets and through franchisee operations in all the leading centers in the country. At present KAPL has 30 treatment and retail outlets in India, including 15 in Kerala and four in Chennai, two in Bangalore and one each at Mumbai, Bhuvaneswar, Hyderabad, Puttaparthy, Goa, Trichy etc.

Anil Kumar said the Bangalore-based Ayurveda Gram Wellness Centre, an associate company of KAPL's promoters, is currently doing well with an occupancy rate of over 70 per cent. The 15-acre property with 15 cottages at an investment of over Rs 5 crore has achieved break-even. KAPL has 20 per cent equity in the project.