Last Updated on January 21, 2024 by The Health Master
Gujarat nod for 92 firms to make immunity boosters
AHMEDABAD: With demand for vitamin C and D spurting drastically amid unprecedented rush for immunity boosters, more and more firms have ventured into manufacturing of these micronutrients since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Since April 2020, 92 manufacturers have received a go-ahead by Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) to make vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in the state. Of the total, 51 firms have got approvals for vitamin C and 41 for vitamin D3.
“As many as 192 new product permissions have been issued to these 92 players to manufacture either formulations or raw materials (active pharmaceutical ingredient) of these vitamins,” said Dr HG Koshia, commissioner, Gujarat FDCA.
Companies like Baxter Pharmaceuticals India Ltd, Lincoln Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Centurion Remedies Private Ltd, KC Laboratories Private Ltd and Halewood Laboratories Ltd have received product permission for making tablets of vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid.
Massive jump in demand and sales of vitamin C, D3
Firms such as Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ratnamani Healthcare, Avery Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat Pharma Labs and Reino Remedies have been granted approvals for vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, shows data shared by Gujarat FDCA.
“Many new players have entered into making these vitamins due to the increase in demand in the wake of Covid-19,” Koshia added. State FDCA nod is required to manufacture vitamins to be used in pharma products.
The demand and sales of vitamin C and D3 has seen a massive jump with consumers rushing to boost their immunity in the time of Covid-19 pandemic. The combination of vitamin C and zinc is being largely used as an immunity booster by consumers, say chemists.
“There has been a drastic jump in sales of vitamin C and zinc post Covid-19 outbreak. The sales of vitamin C and zinc have galloped almost 10 times and the consumer demand continues to remain strong. The usage of Vitamin D3 has also increased,” said Alpesh Patel, president, Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists’ Association (FGSCDA).
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