Concerned over the fate of the industry in the wake of MHRA ban on herbal products in UK, Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers’ Association (ADMA) is strongly following up with the Centre to tackle this issue on an urgent basis. It is understood that the association has already presented a representation to the Commerce Ministry through Pharmexcil apprising them about the gravity of the whole matter and the impact it will have on the sector.

Industry insiders inform that the Centre has shown proactive interest in addressing this issue at the earliest so as to avoid further losses to the industry and is expected to meet with the stakeholders on June 10 to deliberate on this matter. As per the reports from the ministry, it is understood the government is at present thoroughly examining the fact of the matter, following which they will be keenly pursing this with their counterparts in the EU.

Shashank Sandu, treasurer, ADMA, informed that considering the gravity of the issue ADMA is also simultaneously engaged in high level discussion with other herbal products associations based at the EU to gauge and get the update on the latest development from the EU on this issue. In fact, the association is slated to have a high level meeting with them in a day or two to understand the current situation so as to take requisite action for the same.

“This move from MHRA comes as a huge shock to us, especially since we along with other counterparts from the EU never anticipated an immediate implementation of the order, especially in the light of the active dialogue we were engaged in over deferring the order. All said and done, this move has had a huge setback on the industry which we along with our EU counterparts strongly oppose. We strongly feel that this is an anti-industry move which will snub the herbal based industry completely, we will pursue this matter till it is sorted out,” Sandu said.

In exports, the contribution of Ayurveda sector ranges to approximate Rs.850 crore, that too from formulation mainly. Interestingly from the above, the exports to EU alone varies from 30 to 40 per cent which is a huge market share that is going to be affected with this ban.

In a huge blow to the ASU manufacturers, through a recent directive, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had banned the sale and use of all herbal medicines without registration or a product licence in Europe, with immediate effect. Though the EU had made registration or licence compulsory for herbal and ayurvedic medicines sold in Europe from April 30, 2014, against the previous deadline of April 30, 2011, this notification from MHRA comes as a huge shock to the industry.

It is understood that concerned over the plight of ASU exporters Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is actively seeking government's intervention to move WTO on this issue.