The Legacy of The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy
With the increasing medical disorders, consumer health consciousness, and easy product availability, the Indian ayurvedic market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2023-2028 to reach INR 1,824 Billion by 2028, up from INR 626 Billion in 2022.
Incorporated in the 1940s, The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited is the flagship company of the AVP Group headquartered in Coimbatore. Pioneers in the field of Ayurveda, AVP has established a nationwide network of doctors, along with a robust sales and distribution system.
AVP’s mission is to ‘Touch Lives Through Ayurveda’ by being a trusted and reliable source for high-quality Ayurvedic products and services worldwide. AVP is committed to upholding the principles outlined in the sacred Ayurvedic texts for all its products.
Ever since its inception, AVP Ayurveda has been dedicated to ‘Healing Through Ayurveda’. The core philosophy of AVP is A- Achaar, V-Vichaar and P- prachaar. Ayurveda has been a precious gift passed down through generations, and the organisation aims to make it available to all.
Creation Of A Legacy
Founded over 80 years ago by the master Vaidya and formulator Shri P.V. Rama Variar, AVP is one of the heritage Ayurvedic brands in India. Respected deeply for his knowledge, sincerity, humility, and untiring hard work, his vision was to touch as many lives as possible with the benefits of Ayurveda.
Mentored by him in the skills and techniques of Ayurvedic treatments, his son Padmasri Dr P.R. Krishna Kumar Ji was one of the most influential mentors and guiding light for AVP.
A pioneer in Ayurvedic research, in 1977, he initiated the first clinical research study on rheumatoid arthritis in partnership with the WHO and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The torch bearer of evidence-based authentic Ayurveda that has been passed on from generation to generation, AVP aims to preserve traditional Ayurveda rituals while validating them with clinical research and data.
Over the course of its 80+ year history, the AVP Group have expanded their operations beyond Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing to include ‘treatment centres’, ‘education and research’, and the ‘manufacturing of Ayurvedic equipment’ to ensure the highest quality of products, practitioners, and services.
AVP is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to the twin values of ‘quality of care’ and ‘purity of treatment’. With over 10,000 outlets throughout India and a network of 20,000+ vaidyas, and a presence in more than 100 countries, AVP has established a legacy and tradition of excellence.
The company is GMP certified, ensuring that all its manufacturing practices meet global standards for quality and safety.
Vipin Vijay
CEO | Senior Leader | Ayurveda Believer
An accomplished and driven leader in the wellness industry, Vipin Vijay is highly passionate about achieving excellence and promoting innovation.
With an extensive background working in renowned health sector companies across the world, he has held leadership positions, including CEO, COO, and senior leader.
Believing firmly that business is about people, not just companies, Vipin brings a personable approach to all aspects of the business, whether dealing with internal team members or external stakeholders.
As a skilled strategist with a forward-thinking mindset, he is adept at streamlining operations and maximising the productivity of his 1,000+ employees through direct and compassionate collaboration.
His keen ability to protect, preserve and promote the greater good fosters an optimistic and results-driven approach, which is inspiring for the future of Ayurveda worldwide.
Vipin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Commerce from the University of Kerala and a Post Graduate degree in International Business from the University of Wolverhampton, UK. He also studied Communication Effectiveness.
Prior to joining the AVP Group, he was the CEO of Organic Ayurveda Inc, USA, in 2020 and the COO of Katra – Kerala Ayurveda Group in 2018.
He has also held senior positions at top-tier companies such as Synthite Industries Ltd, where he was the Head of Global Sales and marketing, and Sabinsa, where he served as a Senior Business Development Manager.
Vipin ensures quality, integrity, and sustainability from seed to shelf, with innovative thinking instrumental to the success of global outreach of Ayurveda products and education.
He fosters collaboration, drives growth, and delivers value to customers and stakeholders as a skilled leader, making him a valuable asset to AVP Group and Ayurveda’s future.
Vipin’s Journey With AVP
Being involved in Ayurveda and Vaidyas in his family since childhood, Vipin learned that Ayurveda offers a way of life that leads to health and true happiness.
He wants to preserve this rich culture and make it available to everyone, which is why he joined AVP, as his vision aligns with AVP’s late mentor Krishnakumarji and MD Devidas Ji.
Range Of Products & Services Offered By AVP
Real health comes from an active lifestyle, a sound diet plan, and a healthy mind. AVP’s Ayurvedic principles can help regain health when things go wrong due to a fast-paced and erratic lifestyle.
Mastered by Vaidyas, AVP offers a complete range of more than 800+ authentic Ayurvedic products and services that promote a healthier lifestyle as per the tenets of authentic Ayurveda, including Ayurveda medicines, treatments, hospitals, exports, equipment manufacturing, education, and research addressing not just consumers’ immediate health concerns but also incorporating the best Ayurvedic principles and practices into their lives.
Their hospital and treatment centres provide patients access to AVP’s classical formulations and over-the-counter ranges. Additionally, they offer ‘Vaidya access’ for all treatments.
AVP also has a research foundation and education institutions to support their commitment to evidence-based principles and time-tested formulations.
Available through their offline distribution network and branches, AVP’s products and services benefit not only the ill but also healthy people looking to improve their well-being.
AVP’s Unique Healing Proposition
The promoter family’s deep knowledge of Ayurveda, their penchant for quality, and renowned Vaidyas leading every department differentiate AVP. They specialise in pain care management with a vast assortment of unique formulations tailored to consumer needs.
AVP has a unique healing proposition based on time-tested classical formulations made with natural herbs. Their products are cruelty-free, not tested on animals, and free from preservatives, providing consumers with authentic Ayurvedic products.
Milestones Along The Journey
Over the years, AVP has earned several milestones, including
- Establishment of AVP in 1943
- Formation of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Ltd as a Public Limited Company in 1948
- Establishment of Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam, an Ayurveda Hospital at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in 1950
- The World Health Organization and ICMR signed an agreement with AVC for Clinical Research on Ayurveda remedies for rheumatoid arthritis in 1976
- Launch of research on the Efficacy of Ayurvedic Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis, a collaborative project with WHO-ICMR in 1977
- Establishment of Arya Vaidyan Rama Varier Educational Foundation of Ayurveda (AVREFA) and commencement of Degree Course in Ayurveda in a unique Gurukula model in 1978
- Ancient Science of Life, the first journal in Ayurveda, was launched in 1982
- Establishment of Heal Ayurveda Pharmacy to develop and market specialised OTC products in 1985
- Establishment of AVP Marketing and Exports Limited as a full-fledged subsidiary to take care of national-level marketing and export of AVP and Heal products in 1994
- Granting of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate to the AVP Manufacturing Facility from the Drug controller in 1997
- Setting up of AVP’s first Ayurveda Therapeutic Center abroad in Kuala Lumpur in 2000
- AVTAR, the research division of AVP- streamlining literary, field, experimental and clinical research activities in 2002
- MD Sri. P.R. Krishnakumar was awarded Padmasri by the President of India in 2009
- Launch of the first-ever comprehensive online database and search tool for research articles published in the field of Ayurveda known as DHARA (Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles) in 2010
- The Ministry of AYUSH granted funds for the First-ever clinical trial on the Management of Diabetes with Ayurveda outside India in 2020.
Navigating Challenges In The Ayurvedic Industry
As per Vipin, the major challenges in their journey are the need to advocate for true Ayurveda, the dominance of the chemical market, scarcity of raw materials for Ayurvedic formulations, distribution challenges, and ensuring the availability of high-quality products.
Vipin shares, “We regularly have to deal with these, but rather than considering them failures, I see them as learnings.”
Shifting Perspectives: Pandemic Leads To Acceptance Of Ayurveda
The impact of the pandemic on the Ayurveda industry was positive, with a paradigm shift in acceptance. AVP expanded its range to meet the needs but faced challenges in meeting demand. They had to run their manufacturing and R&D units in full shifts to overcome it.
Vipin shares, “The pandemic has led to a shift in perspective towards the importance of Ayurveda, with people now using Ayurvedic products at home and incorporating them into their daily routines. So we made all ranges of Ayurvedic medicines available to the public and wanted to ensure that people benefit from them while benefiting the industry.”
Future Outlook
With the growth of Ayurvedic medicines, an increase in online demand and consultations, and an emphasis on authenticity through the use of Vaidyas, the Ayurveda industry is transitioning.
Capitalising on the growth, AVP is focused on providing authentic Ayurvedic solutions from a GMP-certified facility. They’re expanding their range of pain care, general wellness, and skin care products and converting old formulations into more convenient formats, including ghritham capsules.
AVP aims to become the leading brand in health globally, offering authentic Ayurvedic products, services, treatments, and research with plans to launch in the USA by 2024, OTC products in India by 2023, and in South America by 2025.
Advising young entrepreneurs, Vipin shares,
“Be Strong, Be Humble and Listen to Understand. Your understanding of your business can resolve key issues and reach innovative solutions faster.”
