The Business Bytes
PRIYABRAT BISWAL
BHUBANESWAR, DEC 25
Senior scientist of Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), Dr Hemant Kumar Pandey, has been conferred with DRDO’s “Scientist of the Year Award” for his contribution in developing herbal drug ‘Lukoskin’ for treatment of leucoderma, an autoimmune disorder characterised by the loss of skin colour in parts of a body.
Dr. Pandey, who heads the Herbal Medicine Division of DRDO’s Defence Institute of Bio-energy Research (DIBER) at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, was conferred with the prestigious award by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at an event held in New Delhi recently. The award carries a certificate and cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
Apart from Lukoskin, Dr. Pandey has developed six other medicines and herbal products. These include Ayurvedic medicines for itching and toothache and an anti-radiation cream, most of which are already being sold in the market following transfer of technology.
Though Dr. Pandey has developed six herbal drugs so far, ‘Lukoskin’ has been most widely appreciated and found huge acceptance in the market.
Lukoskin, which is sold in the market by New Delhi-based Aimil Pharmaceuticals (I) Ltd, offers a new hope to those suffering from leucoderma, also known as Vitiligo. A formulation of six herbs found in Himalayan region, Lukoskin is available in oral liquid as well as lotion form. It has effectively helped treat over 2 lakh people suffering from the disease.
Leucoderma is an auto-immune disorder and about over 5 crore people are under its grip in India. It is neither contagious nor life-threatening. Worldwide, the incidence of leucoderma is 1-2 per cent of the population.
