Unani manufacturers urge community to modernise and compete with pharma giants

Hyderabad: The Unani Drugs Manufacturers Association (UDMA) marked its 8th UDMA Day, urging to modernise, strengthen and achieve greater global visibility for the traditional medical system.

The UDMA gave a strong call for action to the Unani community to aggressively modernise outreach and remain confident competitors to corporate pharmaceutical giants.

The organising chairman, Hakeem Ghulam Mohiuddin, said, “Researchers, regulators and Unani industry stakeholders are the epicentre of Unani medicine and it is time to go global.”

Keynote focuses on scientific integration

In his keynote address, Dr Hamed Ahmed, president of UDMA and CEO of Hamdard Laboratories, stressed that the Unani industry stands at a ‘critical juncture where traditional heritage must meet contemporary expectations.’

Dr Ahmed called for a ‘sharper strategic focus on scientific integration, regulatory clarity, and international visibility.’ He highlighted UDMA’s proactive efforts over the past year, including:

– The successful representation leading to the acceptance and notification of a proposal allowing BUMS graduates to be considered for Food Inspector posts.

– A detailed submission to the Ministry of AYUSH on the latest Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.

– Initiating discussions with the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) to explore clinical trials and long-term research collaborations.

He added that the simultaneous exhibition, showcasing ‘new formulations, innovations and product launches,’ signalled the industry’s readiness to embrace modern demands and standards.

Hyderabad: The Unani Epicentre

Hakeem Ghulam Mohiuddin, the Organising Chairman, proudly welcomed attendees, noting that ‘between 600 and 700 Unani-registered companies operate in Hyderabad alone.’

Mohiuddin emphasised that the purpose of UDMA Day was to provide a platform for manufacturers to showcase their strengths, innovations, and offerings.

He firmly asserted the completeness of Unani medicine when ‘practised in its true classical and philosophical form,’ cautioning practitioners to use allopathic medicine only ‘sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.’

He also highlighted the system’s transparency, where physicians are fully aware of every ingredient in a formulation.

Potential for innovation and global standing

Dr MA Waheed, Padma Shri awardee and former CRIUM Director, underlined the ‘immense potential for innovation, new drug development and targeted drug discovery’ within the Unani framework. He cited Unani’s ancient use of immunomodulators and its important role in the AYUSH ministry’s Covid-19 national health response.

Dr Waheed stressed the paramount importance of long-term safety protocols and expressed confidence that focused research would enable the Indian Unani sector to ‘stand shoulder to shoulder with global pharmaceutical players.’

85 countries practice Unani

Echoing the global perspective, Zulfikhar Ali noted that Unani medicine is practised in nearly 85 countries, with foundational principles remaining consistent worldwide.

He credited Unani drug manufacturers for the system’s survival and spread but pointed out that limited resources often restrict practitioners from competing effectively, despite the system’s strong research output.

Dr Mohammed Khalid, Assistant Drug Controller for the Government of NCT of Delhi, offered a historical context, noting Hyderabad’s past as a renowned centre of medical excellence that attracted scholars from Europe in the 16th century.