By Mohd Naushad Khan
Dr. S. Farooq is presently President of The Himalaya Drug Company. His name was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (USA) in 1997 in recognition of his academic works, and in 2000 in INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO OF INTELLECTUALS 13th Edition of IBC (ENGLAND) in recognition of his scientific research work in Phytochemistry.
According to Dr Farooq, “Invention was the turning point of the Himalaya Drug Company. Himalaya is considered the world’s first company to give anti-hypertension medicine to the world. Himalaya was also the first company to export Ayurvedic medicine. At that time there was no Nobel Prize. So, Serpina, an anti-hypertension drug prepared from Rauwolfia Serpentina (an Indian snakeroot) won the Lasker award, then considered equivalent of Nobel Prize.
“After that many other medicines were introduced. The launch of Liv.52, a liver formulation that ensures optimum liver function, in 1955 became synonymous with brand Himalaya as a result of its popularity. After that, Septilin, Cystone, Bonnisan, and Rumalaya Forte became very popular. Today we have a range of products in Herbal Ayurvedic medicine, Nutrition, Personal Care and Baby Care,” added Dr Farooq.
On the journey of Himalya, he said, “Today, Himalaya is considered a leading global herbal health and personal care organisation with approximately 500 products. The products of Himalaya over the years have been recommended by more than four lakh doctors in about 100 countries. After 89 years of establishment, the vision has been translated into Himalaya’s mission of touching people’s lives with the slogans of “Wellness in every Home and Happiness in every Heart.”
Himalaya has developed markets worldwide with an in-depth and long-term approach, maintaining at each step the highest ethical standards. The legacy of researching Nature forms the foundation of Himalaya’s operations.”
We have studied over 10,000 herbs and discovered many new properties and in just eight years, we have filed over 90 patents. At Himalaya, research is not just about breakthrough formulations but also about filling the gaps in conventional medicine. Through research, Himalaya has introduced several innovative products. Cystone, Himplasia and Septilin are some of our breakthrough drugs that are prescribed by doctors across the world. Cystone, used in the treatment of urinary stones, is the only herbal drug available for this condition. It is backed by over 90 clinical trials. Today, over four million doctors and customers in more than 100 countries rely on us for their healthcare and personal care needs.
Born on 9th January 1955 in Dehradun, in the family of Janab Syed Rasheeb Ahmed, a renowned researcher of Ayurvedic remedies and a freedom fighter, Dr Farooq did his schooling from St Thomas School and higher studies at DAV College. He obtained his M.Sc., Ph.D. and two D.Sc. degrees, one from H.N.B. Garhwal University (DAV PG College Dehradun) and the other Honoris Causa from Cambridge (England). The subject of his Ph.D. thesis was “Study of Chemical Changes in Cell Membrane” and his thesis was awarded a Gold Medal. The subject of his D.Sc. thesis was “Newer alkaloids for therapeutic effect on infected respiratory tract along with its Pharmacodynamic & kinetic studies”.
He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. He has published and presented over 500 papers in National and International Conferences. He is the chief Editor of the Universities’ Journal of Phytochemistry and Ayurvedic Heights. He is the author of “Laboratory Manual of 555 Medicinal Plants” and “Herbal Remedies for Cough & Cold”. He has written a biography of his father (Aap Yaad Aate Hain). Dr. Farooq was nominated for Padamshree Award in the year 2004.
He was Officiating Chairman, Uttarakhand Minority Commission and Vice President, India Islamic Cultural Centre.
