Question : Use of AYUSH Products

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

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government is trying to promote the AYUSH products on a large scale for maximum benefit of consumers and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of challenges being faced by the Ministry in promoting wider use of these products by the consumers;

(c) whether cases of malpractices have been reported in manufacturing of different medicines under AYUSH system; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): Yes, the Central Government in the Ministry of AYUSH has implemented a number of programs and schemes to promote the use of AYUSH products and services by more and more people. In this regard financial support is provided through specified Central Schemes for AYUSH related research, Information-Education-Communication (IEC) activities including seminars, workshops, conferences etc, public health interventions, development of Centres of Excellence and Industry Clusters, Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, participation of industry in exhibitions & fairs and international cooperation and through Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission states are provided grant-in-aid for strengthening & expansion of AYUSH services, development of AYUSH educational institutions, drugs quality control activities and for cultivation of medicinal plants.
(b): The biggest challenge for the Ministry in promoting the wider use of AYUSH products
is inadequate awareness and limited resources.
Contd……….

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(c) & (d): Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality standards of drugs prescribed in the respective pharmacopoeias are mandatory for the manufacturing of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic (ASU&H) medicines under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder. Cognizance of instances of malpractices in the manufacturing of ASU&H medicines is taken by the State Licensing Authorities/Drug Controllers and such cases reported to the Central Government are referred to the concerned State Governments for necessary action in accordance with the legal provisions. Central Government have time to time made regulatory amendments for effective quality control of ASU&H drugs and issued specific directions/advisories to the State Governments for enforcing the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act and Rules pertaining to these drugs. Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy and respective Pharmacopoeia Committees have been set up to develop, modify and notify the quality standards of ASU&H drugs and statutory bodies, namely- Ayurvdic, Siddha, Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB), Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani Drugs Consultative Committee (ASUDCC) and Sub-committee of Drugs Technical Advisory Board for Homoeopathic drugs are constituted under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 to advise the Central and State Governments in the technical and enforcement matters respectively of ASU&H drugs.
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