A survey conducted by the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) indicates that demand for ayurvedic medicines and confidence of the people in the traditional treatment system in Kerala is on the decline for the last several years.

The survey was primarily based on operations of the ayurvedic pharmacies working in all the districts in the state. According to the study, the number of Ayurveda pharmacies has decreased in recent years and no new pharmacy has come up anywhere, said the physician-cum-manufacturer, Dr D Ramanathan of Sitharam Ayurveda super speciality hospital in Thrissur and the secretary of AMMOI.

About five years ago, the number of pharmacies in Kerala was 10,000 and which is reduced to 9000 now. The study reveals that the reason for the closure of stores and sales counters is due to lack of business and financial loss. Room rent, labour cost, shortage of trained and skilled people and poor demand for medicines are the supporting reasons for the closure of shops.

In the case of medication for diseases among youngsters, he said, the new generation is going after modern medicines only. Very few youngsters are following the traditional system, only the age old people are depending on Ayurveda. A comprehensive study has to be done on what kinds of diseases can be cured by the application of ayurvedic system, he said.

Regarding the number of drug manufacturers, he said currently only 800 licensed manufacturers are in Kerala. Previously the number was 1100 and that area is also declining. Whereas the number of ayurvedic graduates is increasing year after year which poses a threat of unemployment opportunities in the ayurvedic sector. The situation has to be addressed.

When asked about other states, he said despite the efforts of about 150 years, Ayurveda has got a foundation only in five states in India including Kerala. The system is followed mainly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh apart from Kerala. Notwithstanding the efforts of ayush department and the respective governments, these states also could not succeed in achieving the confidence of all the people, especially of the younger generation, in this healing system.

Currently there are 17 ayurveda colleges in Kerala, 12 of them are private colleges, three government colleges and two semi-government colleges (Kottackal and Vaidyaratnam). From these educational institutions 790 graduates are coming out every year. About 500 private nursing homes and 2500 clinics are run by ayurvedic graduates. All over Kerala, about 800 small scale manufacturing units are also working, Dr Ramanathan told Pharmabiz.

To a question he said the sales of products from his company have also decreased in recent years.