Trials during the first wave of Covid-19 found the ayurvedic formulation to be beneficial

The manufacture and availability of Ayush-64, an effective ayurvedic drug in mild and asymptomatic and mild to moderate cases of Covid-19, is set to see a significant increase soon.

With the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) transferring the technology of Ayush-64, 46 companies will manufacture it now, the Ministry of Ayush said on Friday.

Earlier only 7 companies including IMPCL, the manufacturing unit of the Ministry of Ayush, had its license, which used it for the treatment of malaria.

Ayush-64 was developed in 1980 for the treatment of malaria by the CCRAS under the Ministry of Ayush.

During the first wave of Covid-19 in March 2020, some scientific studies found it to be very effective in mild and asymptomatic and mild to moderate infection of Covid-19. It also has properties of fighting viruses, increases body's immunity and reduces fever, helping patients recover quickly.

After being found effective on Coronavirus during the Covid outbreak, 39 new companies have been given fresh licenses with technology being transferred to them.

During the first wave of Covid, a clinical trial was conducted with the Ministry of Ayush and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The trial revealed that Ayush-64 was a very beneficial medicine for Covid patients, the Ministry of AYUSH pointed out.

So far, 8 clinical trials have been conducted, in which Ayush-64 was administered on 63 thousand patients quarantined at home, and the drug was found beneficial in this trial.

There were also 5 random and two single studies in 8 clinical trials, where patients were given only Ayush-64 medicine, the ministry added.

Till date, no case of side effects for this medicine have been reported, yet experts suggest taking it only after consulting the doctors.