RS 2,675-CR PUSH TO TRADITIONAL MEDICINES SOUGHT

A central task force for Ayush has sought investment of Rs 2,675 crore at the national level to give all-round push to the traditional systems of medicines Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, homeopathy and naturopathy to make it competitive at the global level. Noting that strengthening the Ayush sector in education, industry and public health is critical to prepare the country for its journey towards integrative healthcare, the task force headed by HR Nagendra, Chancellor, S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru in its report has pitched for large scale multi-centric clinical research involving reputed Ayush and modern medical colleges, universities, hospitals and research institutions both in the public or private sector.

In its 40-page report submitted to the Ayush Ministry, the panel has suggested a range of activities ranging from research to good manufacturing practices, better testing labs to quality education to boost the sector.“While international standards for good manufacturing practices have been prescribed by the WHO for herbal medicines, the Ayush regulation is still short of international standards. There is also concern about the slow pace of certifying eligible AYUSH industries under CoPP as per WHO GMP. This may be due to lack to time for Ayush sector in DCGI. This is hindering its capacity to export Ayush medicines.”

The panel members include VR Kotecha, Vice Chancellor, Gujrat Ayurveda University, Dr Khalid Siddiqui, Former Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Dr Issac Mathai, Medical Director, SOUKYA — Dr Mathai’s International Holistic Health Centre, Bengaluru. The others are Dr Prashant Shetty, Principal and Chief Medical Officer, SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Karnataka, Jayakumar A, Secretary General, Vijnana Bharati, Pradeep Multani, Chairman Multani Pharmaceuticals, Anil Jauhari, Quality Council of India, Anurag Shrivastav, Prof. BN Gangadhar, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS and Dr Basavareddy, Director, Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga among others. 

Source: www.dailypioneer.com