"There is an imperative need for quality control measures, standardisation and Research and Development in Ayurveda and other traditional healing systems from the perspective of not just trade and industry but also for the consumers," she said while inaugurating the sixth edition of the World Ayurveda Congress at Pragati Maidan.
She urged the Government's AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) department to have a comprehensive approach to quality control through good manufacturing, agricultural and laboratory practices.
"Documenting these through research is important, as is value addition in traditional medicines to make sure we export finished products and not just raw materials or semi-processed products," Mahajan said, adding that sourcing raw materials irresponsibly from forests and protected areas also needs to be controlled through legal measures.
It is for the first time that the national capital is hosting the three-day WAC which is organised this year by the Department of AYUSH, Union Health Ministry in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Foundation and Delhi Government.
"The government has constituted a committee to set the comprehensive parameters for developing a holistic system of medicine. The report will be submitted soon and we will initiate action on it," he said, adding that the recommendations of the WAC will be made part of this action plan.