Projects

The New Model Pharmaceutical Unit of Tibetan Medicine


Introduction

It is our primary goal to improve the quality and expand the production of Tibetan medicine using modern technology and at the same time not neglect the traditional standards of manufacturing Tibetan medicine, especially natural ingredient based drugs, as explained in the treatises of Tibetan medicine. Thereby we will be able to serve the interest of the humanity, and particularly fulfill the needs of the practitioners of Tibetan medicine and patients all over the world.

HH the Dalai Lama said, “Do we really need to stay within the walls of ancient medical treatises, and not venture beyond? Either we lack the confidence or don’t wish to create something new. Maybe we don’t want to undertake such responsibilities. In the field of medicine, like the traversing of the path of science in other parts of the world, if we could also gather experiences and engage in experimentations, then we are likely to discover many new medicines and different methods of drug formulation. This is something we all should think about. Basically at present more and more people are beginning to take medicines made from natural ingredients like Tibetan medicine, and not from different chemical substances”. HH the Dalai Lama further added, “There is also the need to improve Tibetan medicine with regard to cleanliness, consumption convenience, immediate effectiveness even with small dosage, aesthetically pleasing and so forth”. HH the Dalai Lama advised on many occasion that based on the old tradition of Tibetan medicine, there should be progress in accordance with modern times. We hold this advice dear to our heart, and we feel it is time to strive towards the planning and realization of such a major project.

Site of the Proposed Factory:
Chauntara Tibetan Settlement, Himachal Pradesh, Northern India

Background of the Project:

A History

When Men-tsee-khang was first established in 1961, it was very much on a small scale, with limitations in all the fields. At the time, everything was done manually like in olden times with no machines. In 1964, the manufacture of medicinal drugs began in Dalhousie which increased the quantity and variety of medicine. In 1966, a three-storied building for the production of medicine was set up in Dharamsala on an area of 17 marlas (approx. 500 sq m). A semi-automatic crushing machine and a manually-operated medicine wrapping machine were set up in the ground floor which made things much easier. Then in 1982, in accordance with actual need, the pharmaceutical department was established on a somewhat big scale and thereafter machines for production of medicines were also improved. Gradually most of the necessary machines were installed. Presently, 170 different kinds of drugs for various kinds of illnesses are being produced. Every year, 35000 to 45000 kg of drugs are produced and supplied to 49 branch clinics all over India, Nepal and Bhutan. A certain amount of medicine is also supplied to our 3 clinics in the west and one organization.

B. Present Shortcomings

In the past more than forty years, Men-tsee-khang was first established in very difficult circumstances and gradually it made much progress. Although nowadays it has become one of the premier in exile Tibetan community for the preservation of traditional Tibetan culture and for the well-being and happiness of all sentient beings, there are still many things that needs to be improved keeping in account the changes in society, and the need of the people.

  1. 1. As people from all parts of the world are becoming more interested and doing more research towards the special potency of natural-ingredient based medicine in recent years, so also the interest, practice and consumption of Tibetan medicine is also rising. Still there are shortcomings in fulfilling all the desired needs of the increasing number of people. One of the main problems is our continued inability to produce Tibetan drugs according to international quality standards.

  2. Different countries have different legal guidelines for allowing the practice of traditional medical systems. Even in countries where traditional medical system is allowed, they have laid down strict standards based on their own western medical standards. So in order to produce Tibetan Medicine according to GMP standard, the new modern factory for Tibetan medicine is very much needed.

  3. So far Tibetan drug is prepared in accordance with Tibetan medical texts and ancient practices. However now we need to make improvements in the instance of making the medicines easy to consume, clean, effective, and longer shelf-life in accordance with the GMP standard.

  4. Every year our branch clinic provides consultation for about 500,000 patients from all over the world and we are supplying all the medicine from here. For the last many years we have been suffering for two to three months during rainy season in manufacturing medicine and there was lot more chance in damaging medicine and raw materials. Hence, its fact that we have been unable to supply desired needs of our branch clinics and facing problem for the patients too.

C. Objectives

  1. If we can build a new factory according to GMP standard, it would become very effective in both the long and short term in improving Tibetan medical science in tune with modern needs. This in turn will prove more convenient for the practitioner and consumer of Tibetan Medicine, in serving more people and will further expand and strengthen this .

  2. This will not only fulfill the requirement of Men-tsee-khang but any other qualified practitioner of Tibetan medicine, Tibetan or otherwise, in obtaining medicine and benefiting more fellow human beings.

  3. To do research and make improvements according to modern medical system without losing the unique features of Tibetan medicine and to achieve the GMP standard in quality control, convenience in taking medicine and cleanliness.

  4. In accordance with Tibetan medical texts, we use different mineral ingredients and mercury after thorough and complex process of detoxification. This is very effective but some people who have little knowledge about Tibetan medicine entertain doubts and make criticisms. Through a scientific approach, we will do research and prove to the world that such detoxified medicinal ingredients results in benefits and not harm. So as not to lose the use and practice of such medicinal ingredients, we plan to manufacture those particular medicines at our existing factory while 98% of medicine from herbal and non-herbal raw ingredients will be manufactured from the new factory.

  5. To be responsible for guaranteeing the quality of Tibetan medicine produced according to GMP standard and gradually engaging in research collaboration with scientists in order to export Tibetan medicines legally to those who are interested to take Tibetan medicine.

  6. To ensure proper quality control of Tibetan medicines, there will be checking of the quality of medicinal ingredients, maintaining the standard of the drug production process, and checking the quality of the finished product, all according to the standards of modern medical system.

  7. To fulfill the standard safety and efficacy of Tibetan Medicine.
Stages of the Project

    10-15 acres of land needed for the project.

  1. The project will be implemented according to the planning and direction of a professional.

  2. Not only all the equipments for the project to be procured but the standard of material and quality of the equipments and their function to be ensured.

  3. To appoint specialized experts and experienced staff for the project.

  4. The administration of the pharmaceutical department will be established legally according to proper procedures.

    Supervision of the Project

    a) All the construction work to be undertaken by the Estate Committee under Men-tsee-khang administration as planned. Estate Committee shall inform all the related works of the project to the administration before taking any decision during at their meetings.

    b) An ad-hoc committee of construction professionals to be set up for the project. This committee will properly check if all constructions are going according to the planned design of the construction professionals or not. All suggestion of changes in the original design by this committee cannot be implemented without the Men-tsee-khang administration being informed first.

    c) If there is need of any alteration with the original plan, the related committee should make the change only after informing the administration office.

    d) The committee of construction professionals is responsible for any shortcoming occurring later when the construction work is in process.

    e) Regarding construction work and related expenditures, there shall be signing of contracts and payment of money according to the guidelines of proper accounts procedures according to Men-tsee-khang accounts committee.

    Outcome of the Project

    If this project to build a medicine production factory becomes successful, then the production of Tibetan medicines using advanced medical production equipments and proper quality control - while preserving the essence of the guidelines as set down in the Tibetan medical texts - will go a long way in achieving the international GMP standard. Not only Tibetans, patients all over the world who are interested in taking Tibetan medicine will be benefited. Moreover this factory will help in consolidating the Tibetan medical system and in raising the Tibetan medicine to a greater height.

    Generally according to Tibetan medical texts, of the countless medical formulation benefiting different diseases, till now the pharmaceutical department here continues to make 170 different medicines. Still more different medicines needs to be formulated and produced keeping in accordance the need of the time, and therefore this factory will make a major contribution in establishing a stable foundation for such a future venture.

    Advantages of the Project

    1. Short-term Benefits

      a) Would make it possible to supply medicines for the patients at our 49 branch clinics at the right time and moreover can supply to the recognized s and doctors who wish to use our medicine.

      b) Would make it possible to supply medicines to qualified Tibetan Medicine practitioner, and patients from all over the world.

      c) Will set up a firm foundation for the future progress of Men-tsee-khang.

    2. Long-term Benefits

    1. Will help in the development and spread of Tibetan medical system on a global scale.

    2. Will contribute in building a strong foundation for the development, expansion and consolidating of Men-tsee-khang, an that is dedicated to the preservation and spread of Tibetan medicine and astrology in exile.

    3. Will lead to the production of the medicine according to international standard, and thus move with tune with the rest of the world.

    4. Will also benefit the Indian people living along the Himalayan region in the preservation and spread of Tibetan religion and culture which they had practiced from ancestral times. Moreover, it will benefit the humanity at large.

    5. Will help in the long-term existence of this of Tibetan medicine in India even after Tibetans are able to find a solution to their cause.

    6. Can also act as a foundation in cultural exchange and collaborative research with other traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Unani, etc. in preparing new medicine according to the modern world.

    7. Will make this a center for the manufacture of standard Tibetan medicine.

    estimate budget

    land requirement : 10 - 15 acres for the project

    A} Estimated Cost of 10-15 acres of land for the project. will be Indian
    Rs. 120, 000,000 to 180, 000,00 { per acre cost of land will be Rs. 12,000,00 lakh}

    1. B New Tibetan pharmaceutical construction unit
    1. 1. Pharamceutical factory include

      a) Offices

      b) Raw materials storage room

      c) Raw material cleaning room 1,2 &3

      d) Medicines compounding room

      e) Pills coating room

      f} Granulation room

      g) Compounded medicine mixing room

      h) Grinding room 1 & 2

      i} Finished product storage room 1,2, &3

      j) Raw material processing room


    Estimated cost of factory itself will be Rs 20 to 25 crores
    Other construction unit required along with factory are :

    1. staff quarter

    2. decoction and detoxification room preparatory room

    3. workshop { machinery}

    4. recreation room

    5. conference hall

    6. staff mass

    7. electricity board room

    8. library and documentation room

    9. raw material and finished product exhibition room

    10. research and quality control lab

    11. Garage

      Above mentioned other construction unit will cost estimably Rs. 250, 000000 to 300,000,000

    Land & construction unit (quick look)

    Land Require 10 to 15 acres Estimate cost : 120,000,000 to 180,000,000 RS
    P. Factory Included all departments Estimate cost : 200,000,000 to 250,000,000 Rs.
    Other construction unit with
    factory     		All the other departments require with pharmaceutical department Estimate cost : 250,000,000 to 300,000,000 RS

    C Equipments required for new Pharmaceutical manufacturing unit

    1. Unit I Grinding unit ( pulverizer)
      1 Grinding machinery (L ) will cost around 40,000,00 to 50,000, 000 lakhs Rs
      2 grinding machinery (M & S) will cost around 20,000, 00 to 25, 000,00 lakhs RS

    2. Unit II Raw material grader & cleaner Machine
      1 two grader and cleaner will required and cost will be around 14,000,00 lakhs RS

    3. Unit III Mixing of compounded medicine
      1 MIXER (L & S) WILL cost around 5,000,000lakhs Rs.
      unit IV pills coating Machine
      1 COATING MaCHINE ( requirement number : 10 )
      PEr coating machine will cost 25,000,00 Rs and 10 will cost 25000000 Rs

    4. unit V pills drying
      (prefer) solar drying system ( capacity of 300 kg per day ) will cost around 100,000,000 Rs

    5. unit VI SEIVING or vibro sifter
      machine requirement no: 10
      each machine will cost 95000 Rs and 10 will cost 950000 Rs

    6. unit vi packaging
      a) granule packing need three machine and each cost 3,000,00Rs and three will cost 9,000,00 Rs

      b) pills packing in the form of pouches need 5 machines and each cost 350000 and 5 will cost 1750000 Rs

      c) smaller parameter medicine ( like Khangna etc } need 1 machine and it will cost 350000 RS

    7. unit vii centralised water distailation unit
      5000 litre unit will cost around 90,000,00 to 100,000,00 RS

      8. d. OTHER ACESSORIRES EQUIPMENTS (S)

      1. Electric weighing machine (L)

      2. Electric weighing machine (S)

      3. Vacuum cleaner (L)

      4. Vacuum cleaner (M)

      5. Vacuum cleaner (S)

      6 Generator

      7. Trolley car & Trolley

      Estimated cost of above machine will be 70,000,00 lakh Rs

    E. Requirement of equipments and instruments for quality control and research lab laboratory.

    Including all instruments requiring for herbal quality control lab will cost around 150.000.000 RS

    F. Furniture

    1. Computer
    2. Table (L)
    3. Table (M)
    4. Table (S)
    5. Chair (L)
    6. Chair (M)
    7. Chair (S)
    8. Document shelf
    9. Uniform shelf
    10. Packing tools
    11. Kitchen tools
    12. Raw material cleaning tools

    Estimated cost of all furniture mentioned above will cost around 4,000,00 RS

     

    * L = Large, M = Medium, S = Small

    staffs required for the pharmaceutical department

    1. Director of Pharmaceutical department (Overall)
    2. Deputy Director for the new pharmaceutical department
    3. 3 to 5 doctors
    4. 1 secretary
    5. 1 accountant
    6. 1 cashier
    7. 3 to 5 scientists
    8. 2 raw material storekeepers
    9. 2 receptionists
    10. 2 medicine storekeepers
    11. 3 technicians
    12. 1 electrician
    13. 3 cooks
    14. 5 staffs (crusher)
    15. 2 staffs (strainer)
    16. 1 staff (mixer)
    17. 5 to 8 staffs (pill coating section)
    18. 2 staffs (drying room)
    19. 3 staffs (wrapping section)
    20. 2 staffs (packing section)
    21. 2-3 dispatchers
    22. 8-10 staffs (raw material cleaning section)
    23. 2 drivers
    24. 3 sweepers
    25. 1 to 2 gatekeepers
    26. 2 to 3 night watchmen

    Total 65-75 Staff Members