Govt test for ayurveda drugs

Days after a public controversy broke out over the contents of a popular ayurvedic medicine, the government has decided to infuse a dose of transparency into the traditional system of medicines.

The move begins with clinical trials and pharmacology studies of ayurvedic formulations.

Under a programme termed Golden Triangle, the medicines will have to pass through the department of AYUSH (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddhi and homoeopathy), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR)before going to the Drug Controller-General of India for approval.

At present, ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, and unani and siddhi medicines, only need a clearance from AYUSH, which can be obtained by citing traditional scriptures from which formulations are ostensibly derived.

Allopathic medicines, on the other hand, go through extensive clinical testing and trials before they are approved by the DCGI.

Extensive investigation may also help traditional medicines pass muster in developed markets like the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, which now frown upon traditional Indian medicines.