Over the past two to three centuries, modern medical science has made remarkable progress. Human immunity has strengthened, and life expectancy has increased. Humanity has managed to combat pandemics, such as COVID-19, within a matter of months. However, there are still limitations to modern medicine, particularly concerning the decreasing efficacy of certain drugs and the rise of antibiotic resistance.
In Bangladesh, antibiotic resistance has become an increasing concern. According to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the effectiveness of several common antibiotics has dropped by nearly 82%. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that by 2050, antibiotic resistance could cause nearly 10 million deaths annually worldwide. To address these limitations in modern medicine, a holistic shift in lifestyle and dietary habits is essential. Alternative medicines, such as Unani, Ayurvedic, and natural therapies, can also play a vital role.
Overview
Modern medicine originated in Europe and America with the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century. Although the recorded history of human civilization spans over 10,000 years, fossil studies reveal that civilizations existed as far back as 60,000 years, utilizing herbal remedies for treatment. These herbal medicines were recognized under various names across ancient civilizations—for example, “Ayurveda” in India, “Unani” among the Greeks, and “Zhongyi” in China.
In the Indian subcontinent, Ayurveda has been practiced in healthcare for over 5,000 years. In addition to Ayurveda, Unani medicine has also been well-regarded and prevalent in the region. Though originating in Greek civilization, Unani medicine flourished in Persia through the contributions of scholars like Ibn Sina and Al-Razi. When the Mughals arrived in the Indian subcontinent, they introduced various aspects of their culture, including Unani medicine. From that time, alongside Ayurveda, Unani medicine became widely practiced in the region.
After Bangladesh’s independence, the Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine was established in 1965 to uphold existing laws. In 1983, the ordinance was revised, renaming the body as the Bangladesh Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine.
Under the Directorate General of Health Services, this board regulates Unani and Ayurvedic medicine practices and healthcare services in Bangladesh. The country has 21 Unani medical colleges, of which 10 also have hospitals, and some institutions offer Ayurvedic medicine courses. These institutes provide five-year professional courses and bachelor’s degrees in Unani medicine. Additionally, there are 10 Ayurvedic colleges in Bangladesh.
While Unani and Ayurvedic medicines once served as primary medical sciences in the Indian subcontinent, they are now regarded as alternative medicine alongside modern medicine. Unani medicine treats illnesses holistically and includes lifestyle changes, a nutritious diet, physical therapy, and herbal remedies. In contrast, modern medicine diagnoses illnesses through tests and cures them with synthetic and scientifically formulated drugs, which are often developed based on clinical trials. Unani medicine, on the other hand, is composed of herbal and natural mineral mixtures. Modern medicine tends to work quickly on the human body, whereas Unani medicine is more time-consuming. However, modern medicine often has side effects and may lose its effectiveness with prolonged or excessive use, while Unani medicine, made from natural ingredients, typically lacks such side effects.
In recent years, the media in Bangladesh has reported numerous stories on antibiotic resistance. According to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, the effectiveness of some common antibiotics has declined by as much as 82%, which is alarming. Consequently, the general public has been turning to Unani and Ayurvedic medicines for common ailments. To promote Unani and Ayurvedic medicine, the government has appointed 269 Unani and Ayurvedic officers across the country in 200 Upazila health complexes, 58 district hospitals, and 12 medical college hospitals, alongside modern medicine practitioners. Under the Directorate General of Health Services’ “Alternative Medicinal Care” initiative, the government aims to make Unani and Ayurvedic medicine accessible alongside allopathic medicine for all levels of society. Additionally, to foster the Unani, Ayurvedic, and herbal medicine sectors, the government issued guidelines in 2019 for manufacturing these medicines.
There are over 300 companies in Bangladesh producing Unani medicine, including Hamdard, Acme, and Incepta, among others. According to The Daily Star, the market for Unani, Ayurvedic, and herbal medicines in Bangladesh has reached approximately 25 billion BDT (2.5 thousand crore). Since 2019, Renix Unani Laboratories has been working to raise public awareness of Unani and natural medicine in Bangladesh and to supply quality medicines to the population.
Journey
The journey of Renix Laboratories began in 2019, founded by two brothers, Abu Hanif and Mehdi Hasan. In 2017, they became intrigued by the principles of natural healing and the effectiveness of herbal medicine. This curiosity was initially sparked by a personal story involving a friend of Abu Hanif.
A friend of Abu Hanif sought medical advice for a health issue, and the doctor recommended surgery. Shortly after, this friend traveled to India for business and consulted a specialist in Unani medicine there. After some tests, the Unani doctor prescribed herbal medication and recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle. Following the advice, his friend recovered without any surgery. This incident greatly inspired Abu Hanif, leading him to become increasingly interested in natural healing and herbal medicine.
Driven by this curiosity, the brothers visited over 33 natural medicine facilities in 2019. They consulted with various doctors in India and Bangladesh about the effectiveness of Unani medicine and explored how it is manufactured. Eventually, they decided to produce their own Unani medicines. In 2019, they acquired an old Unani medicine manufacturing facility in Fatullah, Narayanganj, and upgraded it with modern machinery to establish a fully operational production facility. The facility spans around 30 kathas (roughly 20,000 square feet) for production and an additional 3,000 square feet for administrative work and a research lab. Establishing the facility took almost three years, and with the support of family and relatives, they invested over 25 million BDT (2.5 crore) in the project, naming their company Renix Unani Laboratories Limited.
Operations
Renix’s production facility is divided into three main sections: syrups, tablets, and capsules. Based on daily operational capacity, the facility can produce 120,000 tablets, 320,000 blister-packed capsules, and 2,000 liters of syrup each day. Renix Unani Laboratories follows the “Unani Pharmacopoeia of Bangladesh” guidelines set by the Directorate General of Health Services for formulating its medicines, which are approved by the Bangladesh Drug Administration. Additionally, the facility maintains standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its drug manufacturing practices.
When sourcing raw materials, Renix imports from certified dealers in countries with rich biodiversity, such as India, China, Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. The company ensures that the imported materials carry certifications like Organic Certification, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification, and ISO certification. These certificates verify the quality, safety, and authenticity of the raw materials before production. For Quality Assurance, Renix uses advanced testing methods and machinery, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, UV-visible spectrophotometry, microscopy, mixing and blending equipment, liquid filling machines, and quality control software.
Currently, Renix employs around 100 individuals, including 40 medical representatives who serve various regions across Bangladesh. They operate in authorized medical and sales centers, providing customer service. Among the remaining staff, 60 are skilled factory and showroom workers.
Additionally, the company has a network of 60 dealers/agents for marketing and advertising. Renix has two physical showrooms, one in Jalkuri, Narayanganj, and another in Badda, Dhaka. These showrooms foster customer engagement with Renix’s products. Their products are also available on their website and other e-commerce platforms, allowing customers across the country to purchase Renix products.
Showroom visitors can receive free medical advice from experienced doctors, and Renix provides free medical services. Additionally, the company runs a weekly program, “Renix Health Talk,” on its YouTube channel, where experienced doctors and nutritionists share expert insights on healthy lifestyles. To popularize Unani medicine across the nation, Renix also offers telemedicine services and a free helpline staffed by expert doctors and nutritionists.
Future Plan
In Bangladesh, all locally produced Unani and Ayurvedic medicines must adhere to government-specified formulas. Renix aims to bring new innovations to Unani medicine, driving their research and development accordingly. As part of their future plans, they aim to expand sales centers to every sub-district and union level by 2026. They also intend to raise awareness about health-related issues by conducting free medical camps, talk shows, and other initiatives.
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