‘Sudarshana Paniya’ released to market as treatment for all types of fevers, common cold

‘Sudarshana Paniya’ developed by Sri Jayewardenepura University (USJ) and the University Business Linkage Cell (UBL), was released to the market on Wednesday, and is being marketed as a revolutionary Ayurvedic medicine to improve the health and wellbeing of Sri Lankans.

A statement issued by the Department of Government Information yesterday said the drug was released following laboratory testing according to Western standards. The USJ described it “a great step forward in the commercialisation of research and is the first of its kind for the USJ,” in a statement issued on 13 March.

Despite talk of Sudarshana Paniya being a local or Ayurvedic COVID-19 treatment, USJ states the drug is recommended for all types of fevers and the common cold. 

“Furthermore, it is used traditionally as an antimalarial, antipyretic and antiviral formulation. Many ingredients present in this drug have scientifically proven anti-viral effects,” the University states.

Speaking at the event held to mark the launch of the product, Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said a similar drug has been approved for COVID-19 treatment in Thailand. He added that Pakistan’s Lahore University has also published a research paper on a drug using local herbs that has been found to be effective against COVID-19.

“Studies should be carried out further in our country as well regarding this,” he said, adding that side effects from COVID-19 vaccines have been reported from other countries. He went on to stress that minimal side-effects have been reported in Sri Lanka.

“It is also believed that within the first two weeks of April, we will receive the Sputnik V vaccine manufactured by Russia. Thus, by the end of April, we expect to be able to use three kinds of vaccines in the country,” he said.