MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI S. GANDHISELVAN)
(a) The allopathic drugs are permitted to be marketed after due examination of their safety and efficacy. Wrong or over use of these medicines may result in medical complications.
(b) The Department of AYUSH in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several steps for promotion of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathic Medicines. Key initiatives include audio-visual and print media publicity, Arogya melas & exhibitions, national campaigns, support to states for supply of medicines in dispensaries, collocation of AYUSH facilities in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals. These medicines are regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 enforced through the State Drug Licensing Authorities. The following measures have also been taken to improve quality, safety, and efficacy of these medicines:-
(i) Pharmacopeias and Formularies have been published containing quality standards of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathic drugs.
(ii) Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) has been made legally mandatory for licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic drugs.
(iii) Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine (PCIM) has been established to address quality concerns and develop quality standards for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines.
(iv) Department of AYUSH has launched a scheme for voluntary quality certification of ASU Drugs in collaboration with the Quality Council of India.
(v) Shelf life or Expiry date of various categories of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic drugs and the use of preservatives, additives etc. in the manufacture of these drugs has been notified in the interest of consumers.
(vi) 26 State Drug Testing Laboratories and 46 State Pharmacies have been financially assisted for strengthening of infrastructure required for quality testing and production of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs in public sector. 44 private Drug Testing Laboratories are recognized for testing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs.
(c) AYUSH Research Councils have reported the efficacy of these medicines in various communicable and non-communicable diseases including diabetes.
(d) Funds were released by the Government of India to the States under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries for purchase of essential AYUSH medicines during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT wise information is furnished in the Annexures- I to V. Purchase of these medicines from the funds provided through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme has been sought to be done from Central Public Sector Undertaking (Indian Medicine Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL), State Public Sector Undertakings, and State Co-operative Pharmacies. The statement of allocation and expenditure for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy medicines in CGHS is also furnished in Annexure-VI.
(e) CGHS Homeopathic Store Depot has informed that the local purchase of Homoeopathic Medicines has not been stopped.
(f) The process for empanelment of local Homeopathic Chemist for procurement of homoeopathic medicines through the local purchase system at dispensary level on individual prescriptions has been initiated.
