The Homoeopathic Medicine Industry in India: Challenges and Solutions

Homoeopathy has been facing challenges since the time of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

- Mr. Ashish Kumar

Though many challenges have been overcome by the stalwarts from time to time, there are still new challenges arising out of changing social and regulatory environments. Here I would like to highlight the current challenges and proposed solutions. I am sure that this will be taken with the right spirit by the stakeholders.

Quantum of usage of homoeopathy and size of the industry

As per the 2010 report by ASSOCHAM, the homoeopathic users in India in 2010 was 120 million, which is more than the total population of many developed countries like Germany, France, UK and Canada.1 It is roughly 10% of the population of the country. It is in line with the study by an ICMR institute researchers published in Indian Journal of Medical Research in August 2005.2 This data needs updation. The current usage pattern needs to be assessed by surveys.Good initiative has been taken by the Ministry of AYUSH that there are more publications in the media since the recent past to increase the awareness and user base. Still collective efforts need to be taken by all t h e stakeholders to increase this number to around 25% in the next 5 years or so. We did our bit by conducting and supporting about 300 free homoeopathic camps all over the country last year. All stakeholders of homoeopathy including professional organisations, pharmaceutical industries and wholesale and retail pharmacies together can make a long and short term strategies to achieve this. Periodical surveys on the usage of homoeopathy will help to monitor the progress.