Question : Systems of Traditional Medicines

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has a welldeveloped systems of Traditional Medicines, which holds tremendous potential in the global health scenario;

(b) if so, whether India has captured world market in traditional medicine so far and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of foreign exchange earned through traditional Medicines during each of the last three years and the current year;

(d) whether the Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with different countries in the field of traditional medicines;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the terms and conditions thereof and benefits likely to accrue to the country thereby; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote research in traditional medicines in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): Yes, Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine are systematically developed having long history of use. These systems are well documented; have standardized course curricula, regulatory mechanism and wide institutional network; and are growing with perpetual scientific inputs. Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine imbibe holistic principles and comprehensive approaches for providing preventive, promotive and curative healthcare to the people. In the emerging global health


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scenario of non-communicable diseases, Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine are stated to hold immense potential for the prevention and control of chronic, metabolic and lifestyle diseases and to improve the quality of life of patients by virtue of their holistic and personalised interventions.
(b) & (c): Yes, Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine have made inroads into the world market. Global Ayurveda market alone is accounted for approximately USD 3.4 billion and it is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 16.2%. It is projected to reach USD 9.80 billion by 2022 covering both products and services. There is no commodity code or commodity group classified as ''Traditional Medicines'' in the international trade coding system. However, India’s exports under the Principal Commodity Group: ‘AYUSH and Herbal Products’ for the last three financial years is- in 2015-16: USD 364 million; in 2016-17: USD 402 million and in 2017-18: USD 456 million and in the current financial year up to November, 2018 is USD 251million.
(d) & (e): Ministry of AYUSH has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 16 countries for Cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy to promote AYUSH systems. Such MoU has been signed with Nepal, Bangladesh, Hungary, Trinidad and Tobago, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Germany (Joint declaration), Iran, Sao Tome & Principe, Equatorial Guinea, Cuba, Colombia and Japan. 17 MoUs for undertaking collaborative research to enhance the acceptability of AYUSH systems at international level have been signed with foreign organisations & universities in various countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, World Health Organisation, Geneva (Switzerland), United States, Argentina, Israel, Brazil, Australia, Austria and Tajikistan. 13 MoUs signed for setting up AYUSH Academic chairs in the foreign institutes in Hungary, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, Thailand, Russia, Indonesia, Slovenia, Armenia, Latvia, Argentina, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Mauritius to promote and propagate AYUSH education abroad. Various activities that are taken up under the provisions of the MoU include:
• Mutual exchange of experts and information for the cause of AYUSH systems.
• Regulation of teaching, practice, drugs and drugless therapies
• Establishment of AYUSH Academic Chairs in foreign universities.
• Mutual recognition of pharmacopoeias and formularies.
• Enhancing cooperation in the field of medicinal plants.
• Enhancing cooperation in the field of research collaboration.
(f): Government has established five Research Councils i.e. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN). These Research Councils are conducting scientific activities and promoting research in the area of AYUSH through 85 institutes/Centers spread across the country. Ministry of AYUSH has implemented a central scheme of Extramural Research through which financial support is provided to the scientific organisations for taking up research projects in prioritized areas of AYUSH.
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