The Hindu Business Line : `Herbal, ayurvedic knowledge must be patented'

"OUR indigenous knowledge needs to be quickly patented so that it helps the ayurvedic and herbal industry grow in the globalised world," said Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami, Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, highlighting the issue of patents for herbal and ayurvedic knowledge at the three-day International Healthcare & Herbal Expo 2004 in the Capital.

Organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and VHERD (Voluntary Health, Education & Rural Development Society), the conference deliberated on the issues facing traditional medicines today.

"By using ayurvedic and herbal medicines you ensure physical and mental health without side effects. The natural ingredients of herbs help bring "arogya" to human body and mind. The chemicals used in preparing allopathic medicines have an impact on the mind as well. One should go in for allopathy only when it is very necessary," said the Swami.

He further urged entrepreneurs to earn foreign exchange by exporting the same to other countries.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Shekhar Dutt, Secretary, Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health, drew attention at the need for research and development in ayurveda and other Indian systems of medicine, which is the only way to develop quality products that could face the competition prevailing in the international market.

Mr Y.K. Modi, President, FICCI, said "The domestic market of Indian medicine and homoeopathic systems is of the order of Rs 4,000 crore, which is only six per cent of the total estimated global herbal market of Rs 67,000 crore. Ayurvedic drugs alone account for 84 per cent of this market, homoeopathy 14 per cent and siddha 2 per cent. India's total export earnings from the sale of crude drugs and herbal extracts are expected to grow from Rs 512 crore in 2003 to Rs 3,000 crore by 2005."

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