Government taken steps for ensuring quality in supply of traditional medicine

The Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India has set up Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) for undertaking coordinating, developing and promoting research on scientific lines in Ayurveda. The activities are carried out through 30 institute/Centres/Units located all over India. The Council also conducts research through collaborative studies with various universities, hospitals and institutes. The research activities of the council include medicinal plant research (Medico-ethno botanical survey, pharmacognosy and tissue culture), Drug Standardization Pharmacological Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research & Documentation, and other outreach activities.

The Government has issued directions to the States and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to accept supply of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani And Homoeopathy (ASU&H) medicines with batch wise quality analysis from an approved laboratory/NABL accredited Laboratory.

Good Manufacturing Practices for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs has been made mandatory for license of ASU drugs to ensure storage conditions should be free from fungal or bacterial contamination. In-house quality control section is also made mandatory for batch wise testing facility of ASU products.

The Government of India has defined adulterated drugs under section 33 EE (Chapter IV-A) of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Under Section 33-I, penalties have been prescribed, for manufacture, sale etc. of Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug in contravention of the Act. State Drug Licensing Authorities are empowered to take action accordingly.