(a) the comparative status of formulation of drugs, extending research facility and education in various systems of medicines including allopathic and indigenous ayurvedic system; and;
(b) the details of policy, action plan and programme chalked out to develop indigenous systems of medicine and make them useful for the people?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a): The principal legislation which regulates drugs of Allopathy, Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy is the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. There is a separate chapter in the Act that deals with Ayurvdeic, Siddha, Unani drugs. The drugs of Allopathy and Ayurveda are prepared in accordance with the provisions of respective Pharmacopoeias and Formularies. The education of Allopathy is regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Council of India (MCI) Act, 1956 whereas the education of Ayurveda is regulated by the Indian Medicine Central Council (IMCC) Act, 1970. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) deals with the research in Allopathy whereas the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha (CCRAS) is the nodal agency to undertake and coordinate research in Ayurveda.
(b) The National Policy on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy calls for promotion of holistic health, availability of raw drugs, integration of Indian Systems of Medicines & Homoeopathy (ISM&H) with the national health care delivery system, improvement of ISM&H infrastructure, standardization of ISM&H drugs, full opportunity of growth and development of ISM&H, etc.
Government have introduced a number of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to develop the indigenous systems of medicine. Under these schemes, financial support is given for strengthening of educational infrastructure, cultivation of medicinal plants, research & development, standardization and quality control of drugs, mainstreaming of ISM&H, supply of essential drugs to dispensaries in rural and backward areas, strengthening of pharmacies and drug testing laboratories, etc. ....