Hovid (company)

Hovid Berhad Limited or (Hovid Bhd) (Chinese: 何人可有限公司) is a Malaysian health care provider and pharmaceutical company. It was founded in the early 1940s. The company's headquarters are located in Ipoh, the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia.[1] It was formerly known as Ho Yan Hor Sdn Bhd (Chinese: 何人可私人有限公司).

Hovid manufactures primarily generic drugs and dietary supplements, such as antihistamines, antibiotics, tranquilizers, analgesics, antacids and diuretics. Hovid's products are Halal certified.[2]

Hovid's research and development activities focus on special delivery systems, bio-availability and enhanced formulations.The company is increasing its efforts in developing pharmaceuticals with unique delivery systems.

Hovid Berhad was publicly listed on the second board of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) on April 5, 2005 and was transferred to the main board on June 20, 2006.[3]

Hovid's products are marketed in more than 50 countries. The company claims it was the first to introduce Malaysian generic drugs overseas in the 1990s.

History

The company was founded by Dr. Ho Kai Cheong. Its first product was Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea, a Chinese herbal tea recipe made of 24 herbs. In the 1980s, the company transformed from a traditional Chinese herbal manufacturer to generic drugs, health supplements and consumer health care products. The company began focusing on tocotrienol research and development in the 2000s.[4]

Ho (Chinese: 何继昌博士) formulated the tea in the early 1940s. He started to sell boiled herbal teas in front of his shop and residence. The herbs help to cool excessive body heat, reducing the risk of inflammation and common colds. It was a popular alternative to western medicine during the after World War II. Few Malaysians had the funds to pay a doctor during illness, and chose traditional ways to seek recovery.

During a worldwide flu epidemic in the 1950s from which millions died, many people in Ipoh started drinking the hot Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea (Chinese: 何人可凉茶) and covering themselves with thick blankets. The believed that sweating helped in their recovery and Ho Yan Hor became a common product in China.

In the 1970s, Ho sent his eldest son, David Ho Sue San to New Zealand to pursue a degree in pharmacology. After graduating David went to Wyeth in the United Kingdom to work as a research pharmacist for two years. He returned to Malaysia in 1980 and took over his father's business, modernizing the manufacturing process of the herbal tea.

David then founded Hovid Berhad and introduced the line of pharmaceuticals.

Founder

Dr. Ho Kai Cheong (Chinese: 何繼昌 博士) was born in Kati, a small village in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia. Dr. Ho learned Chinese traditional medicine when he was 18, graduating from China Canton Wah Lam National Physicians Medical School, Guangzhou, China at age 28. He created the Chinese herbal tea with the brand name Ho Yan Hor at 35.

At 80, having handed over the business to his eldest son, David Ho, Ho went to Hong Kong to pursue a Divinity degree at the Christian Nam Wah College. He graduated with a Doctorate in Divinity.

Ho gave much to charities as his business flourished. He died on January 11, 2007 at age 97.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Microsoft Word - Intro Circ 130606.doc" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  2. ↑ "Hovid is good for your health | New Straits Times Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. 2005-03-11. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  3. ↑ "Hovid Berhad". klse.info. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  4. ↑ 13 July 2010 by admin (2010-07-13). "Hovid Bhd". Malaysiaco.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  5. ↑ Ipoh when Tin was King. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
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