Parker Robinson: A leader in skin care now ventures into herbal medicine

B K Sarkar Managing Director, Parker Robinson

Kolkata-based Parker Robinson is one of the leading pharma company preparing mainly derma medicines in India.

Skin disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in developing countries, and ours is of no exception. The wide variation in climatic conditions, together with the socio-economic conditions of the people is the root of this discomfort. Keeping all these factors in mind, Parker Robinson, now a GMP complaint company started its venture in early 80s. With a steady growth, it is one of the frontrunner in the industry today. It has a wide range of dermatological preparations covering almost every skin ailments.

But to cater to the varied needs of the sick, the company has expanded its product basket from skin to other products like antibiotics, expectorants, anti-oxidant vitamins with minerals, etc.

Parker Robinson has set up a modern manufacturing unit in West Bengal, being managed by a group of experts, dedicated hard-working professionals to maintain the quality of the products in order to serve mankind in the best possible way.

Besides, the company has recently set up a state-of-the-art R&D centre, approved by DSIR, Govt of India mainly for herbal research facilities and to develop several natural products to serve the society by tapping the vast natural resources.

Herbal medicines make up a significant constituent of alternative medicine. Herbal medicine is becoming more and more popular in today’s world as people seek out natural remedies. To compete in the growing pharma market, there is an need to use and scientifically authenticate more medicinally useful herbal products. WHO estimates that 80 per cent of the world population currently use herbal drugs for major healthcare ailments due to its advantages like potency and efficiency, more protection, fewer side-effects, complete accessibility, recyclable and lower costs.

Herbal drug is a chief constituent in traditional medicine and a common constituent in ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic and other medicine systems. Herbs are usually considered as safe since they belong to natural sources. The use of herbal drugs due to toxicity and side-effects of allopathic medicines, has led to rapid increase in the number of herbal drug manufacturers. Herbal products have reached extensive adequacy as beneficial agents like anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-fertility, anti-ageing, anti-arthritic, anti-HIV, sedative, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, hepatoprotective, treatment of cirrhosis, asthma, acne, impotence, meno-pause, migraine, gall stones, chronic fatigue, alzheimer’s disease and memory enhancing activities.

The company has launched their new finished products after an extensive research, experimentation and successful trials. It has brought to the market, more than 50 branded allopathic and 10 herbal finished formulations for human consumption targeted for dermatological, conventional, cosmeceuticals and nutritional products. Some other formulations are undergoing research and trial.

The major aim of Parker’s R&D is its research in the field of natural products, encompassing the screening of medicinal plants for their pharmacological benefits, the identification of active principles, the development of extraction and purification systems for industrial application.

It’s R&D Centre is well equipped with sophisticated and imported scientific instruments and facilities to ensure and maintain the quality of health and safety, improved efficacy and increased productivity. A research team with skillful and energetic personnel has been employed for conducting research on phytochemistry, quality assurance and control, bio-assay, microbiology, stability testing and pharmacology. Additionally, to ensure sustainable supplies on its key products, herbal plants cultivation efforts has been successfully undertaken by the company and provides a platform for developing innovative natural products with scientific and clinical validation.

Finally, it has been concluded that medicinal herbs as potential source of therapeutics aids has attained a significant role in healthcare system all over the world for human beings not only in the diseased condition but also as potential material for maintaining proper health.

It is clear that the herbal industry can make great strides in the world. With the increased use of herbal products, the future worldwide labelling practice should adequately address quality aspects as well. Standardisation of methods and quality control data on safety and efficacy are required for understanding of the use of herbal drugs. A major factor impeding the development of the medicinal plant-based industries in developing countries has been the lack of information on the social and economic benefits that could be derived from the industrial utilisation of medicinal plants. Further research is required to exploit the compounds responsible for the observed biological activity.