Sales of lagundi capsules, syrup reach P1 B – DOST

MANILA, Philippines - Sales of lagundi capsules and syrup as cough treatment by two local firms reached P1 billion last year, showing commercial success for companies that have adopted Department of Science and Technology-funded and supported research and development projects.

DOST Assistant Secretary Raymond Liboro said they have been informed that Pascual Laboratories and United Laboratories, two local firms that adopted the herbal medicine developed by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and launched it in the market, have enjoyed brisk sales for their lagundi capsule and syrup brands.

Liboro said the University of the Philippines-Manila that came out with the technology to make lagundi capsules and syrup would earn three percent royalty from the invention.

“The royalty will be a reward to the institution and the researchers for developing the medicine,” Liboro said.

According to the DOST-PCHRD, the technology in developing the lagundi capsules and syrup as herbal medicine is a product of more than two decades of extensive scientific research by the National Integrated Research Program of Medicinal Plants, a consortium of top academic institutions and scientists of the country.

More clinical trials conducted further proved that lagundi is comparably effective and safer than conventional chemical-based formulations.

Lagundi is at least six times safer than carbocisteine based on studies done by the Irish Medical Board on Carbocisteine.

Lagundi leaves have been traditionally used by rural folk to cure a wide variety of illnesses such as headaches, fever and even superficial bleeding.

Recently, modern science found it to be an effective cough and asthma medication, as evident in ASCOF Lagundi, the most studied lagundi brand in the market.