(a) whether India has about 40 million diabetics ;
(b) if so, whether a Herbal drug by the name `Vijaysar` has been tested and recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research for curing the diabetics ;
(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to manufacture this herbal drug; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) According to the revised estimates of WHO, there are 32 million diabetics in India and the WHO has projected that India would have the largest number of diabetics (80million) in the world by 2030.
(b) to (d): Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium) was evaluated for validation of efficacy in diabetics by ICMR in multicentric clinical trials. The trial in newly diagnostic cases proved its efficacy in controlling the disease. Further multicentric trial was conducted in chronic diabetics in two groups uncontrolled diabetics and those controlled by single oral hypoglYcaemic drug, but opting for Vijasar. The data generated in this regard are under analysis. Standardised formulation of the extract of Vijaysar for use in the Council`s trial was prepared by ICMR`s Centre for Advanced Research at Regional Research Laboratories, Jammu. The Advance Centre has also isolated active principles from the drug some of which have been patented. The Council is presently on the process of transferring technology to the Pharma industry on drug from Vijaysar.