In what could be seen as an increasing acceptance of ayurvedic medicines among patients, anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug BGR-34, developed by the research wing of the Science and Technology Ministry, has found a place among the 20 top branded drugs manufactured by multinational pharma companies, according to a survey by the All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors (AIOCD).
This is for the first time that an ayurvedic drug has managed to get the 14th rank in the drugs list dominated by the allopathic medicines. The boost to the drug, which has been scientifically validated by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of the Ministry, comes months after it bagged a top slot in anti-diabetic ayurvedic products category in IMS Health ranking.
The AIOCD, which represents over six lakh chemists and druggists across the country, had surveyed 6,367 drugs launched last two years from the house of the top Indian as well as foreign pharmaceutical companies.
Competing with the allopathic medicine of multinational companies such as Sanofi, Zydus and lupin, the BGR-34, is marketed by the Delhi-based Aimil Pharmaceuticals and has been developed jointly by lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) under the CSIR for type 2 Diabetes mellitus.
The ranking has been finalized following results from various parameters including total turnover of the drug, feedback from the patients among others. In terms of MAT (moving annual total) value of the drug, it is ranked at 33rd position. The MAT value of a drug is declared after studying its efficacy.
Expressing happiness at the ranking, AKS Rawat, senior principal scientist at CSIR-NBRI said, the modern diabetes drugs are known for side-effects and toxicity while BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs.
In fact, Shripad Naik, Minister of AYUSH, replying to a query last year in Rajya Sabha had stated that the medicine has been launched in the market after undergoing all the required scientific tests. The drug has been successful in improving the blood glucose levels of the diabetes patients, he said.