From left: Dhanushika Nair, Kalbe International Pvt. Ltd. Country Manager Sudarshana Jayatillaka, Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd. Business Unit Head Clifford Nugara and Samantha Wijesirigunawardane
Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana



By Zahara Zuhair
Facilitating the consumers to purchase cough syrup over the counter ( OTC ), Kalbe International Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Hayleys consumer products Ltd., recently introduced ‘Woods herbal cough medicine’, a cough reliever made with clinically tested and documented ingredients.

It was launched at a media briefing held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in the presence of representatives from both companies.  

The product is expected to fill the void in the market for an OTC cough mixture, as certain cough syrups were banned by the Health Ministry due to harmful chemicals in the product. As a result, all cough syrup products that are currently in the market required a prescription when purchasing, According to them one-third of the market vanished since the ban.

Making a timely move as a safe and better alternative for Sri Lankans to relieve symptoms of cough, ‘Woods’ herbal product comes in as a alcohol-free product with a traditional approach.

It contains four well researched and established ingredients; Ivy leaf, honey,  Meniran leaf and mint leave extract, all of which go into making a logical herbal composition which is safe.

‘Ivy leaf’, ( Hedra helix) is a plant originated in europe which has been used for centuries for respiratory disorders, it helps to loosen the Phlegm, and proven to be relieve cough related symptoms.

‘Honey’, is traditionally used as a home remedy in Sri Lanka, to relieve cough and also it helps to kill the germs which causes sore throat and helps to increase immunity.

‘Mint leaf”, helps to smoothen the throat and overcome throat irritation. It helps to liquefy phlegm as well as sooth and cool respiratory channels such as the throat and nose.

‘;Meniran leaf’, (Phyllantus niruri) is used as an immune booster and helps to restore proper body functions.

Commenting on the initiative, Kalbe International, country manager, Sudarshana Jayatillaka said, “This is the first time we are introducing a herbal with Ivy leaves, which is clinically tested for relieving cough”.

He also said that formulations for common cough should be available freely in pharmacies as an OTC medication as it makes the consumer life easier.  “So the challenge in Sri Lanka is most of the cough syrups, we need prescriptions, people can’t buy it over the counter for a simple ailment like cough, so this will sort that problem as it can be brought over the counter” he said.

‘Woods’ is a brand that was originated in New Zealand in 1905 and then was taken to Australia. Then it moved to Indonesia which was brought by Kalbe International in 1997. Today the product is available in eight countries globally such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Singapore etc.

It will be available in all pharmacies island-wide and is recommended to ages above 2 years.