Ramdev Baba’s Patanjali is reportedly planning up an online platform Chikitsalaya for Ayurvedic consultation and treatment. After taking on FMCG in the country, Baba Ramdev is looking for digital health startup. According to the industry experts this move will help Patanjali ramp up its outreach fast.
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is an Indian FMCG company. Located in the industrial area of Haridwar, the company manufactures mineral and herbal products. They sell FMCG products such as ghee, soaps and honey, while its sister concern Divya Pharmacy manufactures and sells Ayurvedic medicines. Near Haridwar, Ramdev also runs an ayurveda hospital and a medical college in his campus Patanjali Yogpeeth, which is said to host thousands of visitors every month.
Patanjali is the fastest growing fast-moving consumer company in India, according to CLSA and HSBC. It is currently valued at INR 13000 crore(US$1.9 billion).
India is the second largest exporter of alternative medicine and Ayurvedic in the world and the country is expected to rank amongst the top three pharmaceutical markets in terms of incremental growth by 2020. And Patanjali could be leading the way in this course.
Healthcare startups and their funding
Close to $6 billion was invested in online health startups last year because of which it started gaining traction worldwide. Health startups like BigChemist, Lybrate, Practo and others have attracted attention of leading investors.
Rs 100 crore as venture capital was bagged by 1mg. a startup for selling medicines online in April which also included Online health consultation as one of their plans.
