Traditional medicines making a comeback

With the arrival of modern allopathic medicines, the naturally sourced complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) failed to win consumers’ confidence in the country as they were sold by little-known companies and prescribed by hakims or kabirajs.

But the scenario changed over the last several years as the mainstream pharmaceutical companies entered the CAM market with modern approaches and innovations to utilise the immense potential of such medicines that are now prescribed by specialised doctors too.

Consequently, consumers have found confidence in traditional medicines, including Ayurvedic, Unani, and herbal, again and are shifting their focus to naturally-sourced medicines considering their low side effects.

The CAM market is gradually growing in Bangladesh, and manufacturers are cashing in on this. Bangladesh Unani Aushad Shilpa Samity says the traditional medicine market is growing by 5-10 per cent annually.

There are lots of factors behind this growth, such as low side effects, scientific evidence, involvement of top companies, advancement in the science of extraction, eco-friendly appeal, purification and identification mechanisms, the establishment of modern dosage forms, and an increasing number of qualified practitioners.

Bangladesh is naturally blessed with genetic diversities of medicinal plants. As many as 546 to 722 plant species with medicinal value grow in Bangladesh, said Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.

Industry insiders say 30-40 per cent of people are currently directly dependent on traditional medicines for primary healthcare while 80 per cent are indirectly dependent.

Besides, over 486 industries manufacture CAM in the country while the annual consumption of medicinal plants stands at about 20,000 tonnes.

About 70 per cent of the world’s population relies on herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs at present, according to the World Health Organisation estimation. CAM is gaining more popularity even in developed countries, which is opening up export opportunities for Bangladesh.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh exports plants or their parts used in pharmacy to some 17 countries, including Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. The export volume was $39 million in the fiscal year 2020-21.

Industry insiders said some two lakh people are directly or indirectly involved in this sector from production to sales. Medicinal plants are grown commercially in Mymensingh, Tangail, Sylhet, Madhupur, Kushtia, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Munshi Darul Islam, chief executive officer of Total Natural Company, said allopathic medicines provide immediate results but have diverse side effects.

Traditional medicines do not have side effects as they are collected from herbs directly, he said.

“Besides, these medicines are cheaper and available everywhere. That is why their demand is surging,” he added.

According to the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Association data, the traditional medicine market enjoys a Tk 2,000 crore annual turnover.

The association’s General Secretary Md Mizanur Rahman said diabetics consume blackberry seeds while health-conscious people take green tea, ginger tea, and basil tea.

Mainstream companies entering market

Many domestic drug makers now manufacture CAM due to the growing local demand and export potential. Many have set up separate units for herbal medicines.

The top companies include Square, Incepta, Renata, Radiant, UniMed UniHealth, Acme, Drug International, and Ibn Sina. They have already launched many products, and a few others are preparing to enter the market.

Bangladesh is going to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) status after 2026, and many of the current export facilities enjoyed by the medicine companies will no longer exist. That is why mainstream companies are shifting their focus to manufacturing traditional medicines.

Darul said traditional medicines would enjoy the same facilities even after the LDC graduation and that is why local companies are emphasising manufacturing these products.

Most of the top 20 allopathic drug manufacturers now actively manufacture CAM, he said.

According to the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) data, there are currently 285 allopathic drug manufacturers in Bangladesh. Besides, there are 285 Unani drug manufacturers, including Ibn Sina, while 201 companies produce Ayurvedic medicines, including Acme, Square, and ACI.

Square’s Ayurvedic division has been holding a strong position in the market since 1985. It produces various types of dosages, including Hepato-protective, Anti-tussive and Expectorant, CNS and antidepressant, vitamin and mineral supplement, Adaptogen and Immunomodulator, Hormonal, Gastrointestinal, and Hematinic.

Listed drug maker Ibn Sina launched the Ibn Sina Natural Medicine subsidiary to produce Unani, herbal, Ayurvedic, food supplements, and medical consumer products. The general acceptability and consumption of natural medicines have increased remarkably in comparison with the allopathic ones, the company said in its 2019-20 annual report.

Acme has been making herbal and Ayurvedic medicines since 2003. It produces various types of Ayurvedic dosages, including liquid, tablet, capsule, powder, semisolid, cream, and ointment. It has earned the trust of consumers by providing products at fair prices in the local and global markets.

Diversified products

With the development of science and technology, manufacturers are making diversified medicines. DGDA data shows Bangladesh manufactures 32,147 allopathic drugs.

Besides, the country manufactures 13,076 CAM items. Of them, 7,734 are Unani drugs, 4,641 Ayurvedic, and 701 herbal medicines that come in the forms of tablet, capsule, liquid, ointment, powder, semi-solid, lozenge, halua, and syrup.

Total Natural Company (Unani) has some 81 registered drugs, and many of those will come on the market soon. Like it, many other companies are waiting for the DGDA permission to produce and market CAM.

Govt efforts

The government has recently been emphasising the need to strengthen the traditional medicine-based healthcare system. It is also working to bring back such medicines to the mainstream scene.

To boost the exports of herbal medicines and plants, the government has already set up a business promotion council exclusively for this sub-sector. This sector is enjoying VAT and TAX exemptions while the government is providing subsidies for promoting education related to this field.

Moreover, the government is focusing on recruiting at least one Unani and Ayurvedic doctor at the thana level. Some 400 such doctors have so far been appointed in thanas.

The business promotion council is working to promote this industry. It has been directed to arrange at least 10 programmes by the Unani, Ayurvedic, herbal, and homeopathy organisations. The government is providing funds to make these programmes successful.

Challenges remain

Though this sector is gaining ground, there are also challenges, such as a lack of innovation, technology, and educational institutions. Also, due to a lack of doctors, awareness of such medicines is not growing. Allopathic doctors now prescribe traditional medicines.

Many hawkers sell medicines describing them as herbal, but questions remain about the quality of these drugs. By selling substandard products, they are tarnishing the image of the industry. Also, these products have health risks, experts say.

Darul said, “We have only 1,000-1,500 doctors in this sector, but the country needs at least one lakh. We only have one institution while there are no MPhil or PhD programmes.”

He also said the educational system is not industry-friendly. “We have pharmacy departments for allopathy, but there are no Unani and Ayurvedic subjects. How will we develop these medicines?”

Mizanur demanded a separate division under the health ministry to boost this industry. He also urged the government to set up central research institutes for innovation and technological development.

Syed Ahmed Siddiqui, president of Bangladesh Unani Aushad Shilpa Samity, said the global traditional medicine market is worth a billion dollars while China and India are the market leaders.

“Bangladesh has some legal obstacles to exports. We are working with the government to grow the industry and export volume as well.”