(a) whether the Government have chalked out a strategy to bring in a semblance of order in the Indian Herbal Drug Industry beginning from the cultivation of herbs to the finished product;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any study has been carried out in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) & (b) : The following steps have been taken in this regard;
1) Medicinal Plants Board has been set up to address the need to augment supply of good quality raw material so that the standards and efficacy of the drugs improves.
2) Policy level support has been given to the use of ISM&H medicines by encouraging State Governments to provide drugs in keeping with the Essential Drugs List for Government dispensaries and Hospitals.
3) State Pharmacies and laboratories have been assisted to renovate and upgrade their infrastructure which, inter-alia, would have a beneficial effect on production of better quality drugs.
4) Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for ISM industry has been notified.
5) Private Laboratories are proposed to be recognized for testing and certification of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs.
6) A Government of India Task Force on conservation and sustainable use of Medicinal Plants gave a report on the future development of the medicinal plant sector.
7) Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet has identified 45 as Medicinal herbs for cultivation all over India, out of which, 7 herbs have been recommended for immediate action.
(c) & (d) : A study on `Assessment of Demand of Medicinal Plants` has been commissioned in respect to 162 plants with a view to assess the demand for these plants.