Indian ayurveda sector is ideally positioned to boost its domestic manufacture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and be part of the global value chain. There is a massive interest and huge enthusiasm as units want to drive at job creation, said Philipe Haydon, CEO, The Himalaya Drug Company.

Indian ayurveda industry is already recognized globally and the country has a natural access to medicinal plant and qualified scientific acumen. But there are infrastructural challenges to be met around connectivity and accessibility, he added.

“The big issues before large ayurveda players in the country are land acquisition and labour laws. If the Union government is able to help us overcome these challenges, it will be able to drive the ‘Make in India’ initiative which is seen to be building momentum, said Haydon.

As first step, every state government needs to emulate Kerala in coming out with a dedicated Ayush Health Policy. This is on similar lines that of the China’s model of promoting and integrating its traditional medicine into the healthcare mainstream. “India needs to address this at a faster pace and there are visible signs that Prime Minister Modi’s government is working to ensure this,” he said.

According to Haydon, entry of poly herbals will only accelerate the growth of ayurveda industry. “It will increase the ambit of the new herbs which are currently not recognized under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We see this as a step in the right direction. This will further expand our opportunity for this sector,” he said..

Delving on the national developments, the Himalaya Drug Company chief said ambiguity on the biodiversity guidelines continues. However, on the move by the National Green Tribunal seeking payments through access benefit sharing, Himalaya will go on record to state that it is prompt and up-to-date in its payment.

On the boon and bane of e:commerce for herbal drug sales, Haydon stated that the ayurveda sector was well entrenched into this business model. “There is no cause for concern for herbal products sold online because these are safer with no sweeping impact of side-effects as against the Schedule H formulations in allopathy. Besides, most ayurvedic formulations are available over-the-counter(OTC).