Question : Export of Ayurveda Medicines and Products

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

(a) the quantum of AYUSH medicines including ayurvedic medicines and products exported to various countries during each of the last three years and the current year, product and country-wise;

(b) whether the Union Government proposes to set up State level technical committees to advise the State Governments in technical matters with regard to AYUSH medicines, if so, the details and objectives thereof;

(c) whether there is a grading system for products which fall under the AYUSH system of medicines, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to fix norms including grading and standardisation for manufacturing Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Unani Medicines on the lines of allopathic drugs, if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to introduce any legislation in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost the export of ayurveda products in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): Quantum of AYUSH products exported to various countries and country-wise & product category-wise details are provided in Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.
Contd…….

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(b): Central Government issued directions in September, 2007 to the State Governments under Section 33-P of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 to streamline the system for licensing of patent & proprietary Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Products under Rule 154 and 154-A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 by constituting an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Commissioner/Director (Indian Systems of Medicine) of the State as per the provisions of the Rule 154(2) for advising the State Licensing Authority before any patent & proprietary Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani Medicine is licensed for production by any manufacturing unit. This order is available in Ministry of AYUSH Website www.ayush.gov.in

(c ): There is no grading system for AYUSH products except categorization as classical formulations and patent & proprietary medicines as defined in Section 3(a) and (h) of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. Homeopathic medicines have different potencies depending upon the extent of dilution of mother tincture.

(d): Quality standards of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic drugs are prescribed in respective pharmacopoeias published by the Government. Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia contains 645 monographs of single drugs and 202 monographs of compound formulations; Unani Pharmacopoeia contains 298 monographs of single drugs and 150 monographs of compound formulations; Siddha pharmacopoeia contains 139 monographs of single drugs and Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia has 1117 monographs.

(e): Provisions for quality control of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic drugs are provided in Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder.

(f): For enhancing export of the Ayurvedic products, compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices has been made mandatory for the manufacturers and quality certification system as per WHO guidelines is administered by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and similarly AYUSH Standard Mark and AYUSH Premium Mark certification system is implemented by Quality Council of India. Through the Central Scheme of International Cooperation implemented by the Ministry of AYUSH, financial support is provided for preparation of product dossier, registration of products in foreign countries and for participation of AYUSH drugs manufacturers in the International Trade Fairs, Exhibitions and Road shows.
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