|
HEMA views sustaining quality extraction processes & science-driven data to bolster success in global markets
|
|
Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
November 18 , 2016
|
|
|
Herbal Extractors Manufacturers Association of India (HEMA) sees that
the sector has a promising future as it rides on India’s strengths in
ancient herbal medicine and food supplements. The industry across the
country is now keen to ensure the highest quality standards prevail from
plant selection to formulation development and marketing practices.
There
is a burgeoning herbal extract opportunity for Indian companies not
just in the domestic market but globally too. We see rapid expansion
among companies to research and manufacture novel herbal products and
foray into new markets, V Hariharan, chief executive officer and
managing director, Phytotech Extracts and president, HEMA told
Pharmabiz.
Considerable research and development are on using
Curcumin, Ashwagandha, Boswellia serrata, Brahmi and so on in the
country. “However, there is a need to create a massive awareness on
sustaining quality standards among our manufacturers. We cannot be
pulled up for lack of quality standards on an international platform.
Therefore, Indian herbal extract production units will need to put
systems in place to respond swiftly to regulatory compliance issues,” he
added.
In order to succeed as a high quality manufacturer of
herbal extracts and be a differentiator in a competitive global arena,
companies will now need to maintain batch records, adopt data management
processes and streamline documentation systems, he said.
Hariharan
pointed out that HEMA complies statutory details from various concerned
departments. It is putting in efforts to educate its members to
overcome shortcomings and understand the rules and regulations in depth.
Now this Association can represent the herbal extract manufacturers to
the various offices about suggestions, changes and improvements of
policies. The Association supports botanical extract producers in all
angles possible.
In terms of regulations, India has put in
place the required stringent norms like the Food Safety and Standard
Regulations for supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Besides, there is the recent Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)
guidance manual for developing herbal monographs for
phyto-pharmaceutical drugs.
Even if companies leverage their
research and development capabilities, to develop herbal extracts and
formulations, there is another challenge to surmount. The regulatory
departments have an impending shortfall of expertise. There is lack of
clarity on the science behind the extract or formulation among the
regulatory officials during a product approval. It results in
unwarranted delays for marketing clearances which deters growth
prospects of companies, noted Hariharan.
Yet another issue for
the industry is the prevalence of high attrition rates in the herbal
extraction sector. From salary expectations, compensation benefits and
demand for a motivated work environment are palpable among the qualified
workforce. It underscores the need for a uniform remuneration package
and retention policies in the sector to hold on to valuable expertise,
said Hariharan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|