Question : Research work on AYUSH Drugs and Treatment

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

(a) whether Government has issued any advisory which virtually bars the Non-AYUSH Researchers/ Scientists from publishing their work on AYUSH drugs and treatment;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether this advisory has been issued under the presumption that such a step may hurt the “Made in India” to promote scientific research in Ayurveda, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has taken note that such a step would deter the Inter-Disciplinary researchers from carrying out evidence-based research which could be beneficial for AYUSH; and

(e) whether it is a fact that through this step, Government is virtually trying to curb academic freedom of the researchers/scientists therein and if so the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b): Yes, Government has issued an advisory on 02.04.2019 for non-AYUSH researchers/ scientists, institutions and editors of medical/scientific journals to involve appropriate Expert/Institution/Research Council of AYUSH in conducting any scientific study/clinical trial/research intervention to explore AYUSH drug or treatment and for vetting of the publication of the outcomes and findings of such studies to prevent incorrect, arbitrary and ambiguous statements and conclusions about AYUSH. The advisory is not intended for barring research studies and their publications by non-AYUSH researchers/scientists but for promoting the involvement of AYUSH research experts/institutions in such studies and publications.

(c) to (e): AYUSH systems are officially recognised integral part of the country''s healthcare delivery network and are promoted and mainstreamed through various policies, strategies and schemes of Government of India including the National Health Policy-2017, National Health Mission and National AYUSH Mission. Principles, concepts and approaches of AYUSH systems and their drug-based interventions are not comparable to the prevalent modern medical system. For scientific development of AYUSH systems, Central Government has inter alia established five Research Councils (viz. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences; Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine; Central Council for Research in Sidhha; Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy; and Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy), published Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines for conduct of clinical trials in Ayurvedic, Sidhha and Unani medicine and implemented Extramural Research Scheme to support projects of scientific exploration of AYUSH. Details of these initiatives are available in the Ministry''s website www.ayush.gov.in and accordingly it was not intended or presumed to hurt the ‘Make in India’ initiative or deter inter-disciplinary research in AYUSH or curb academic freedom of the researchers/scientists. The objective of the advisory was not to jeopardize the potential and scope of AYUSH in public healthcare and not to distract or dissuade the people from resorting to AYUSH from arbitrary statements and unfounded conclusions from the scientific studies and research publications related to AYUSH.