Govt plans to set up central regulatory regime for AYUSH drugs

The government is planning to set up a structured central regulatory framework for alternative medicines at par with allopathic drugs. In this regard, there is a proposal to develop a vertical structure for AYUSH in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
 
Accordingly, amendments required in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 pertaining to regulation of ayurvedic, siddha, unani, sowa-rigpa and homoeopathy drugs have been conceptualised and conveyed to the Department of Health & Family Welfare under whose jurisdiction the proposals of amending Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and strengthening of CDSCO are being processed, said Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH, in Lok Sabha on May 6, 2016.
   
Ministry of AYUSH has notified creation of 12 posts of deputy drugs controllers, assistant drugs controllers and inspectors of ayurvedic, siddha, unani and homoeopathy.
 
During 9th to 12th Five Year Plan, financial support has been provided to states for strengthening of the enforcement framework, testing of drugs, capacity building of state drugs testing laboratories and pharmacies. In 12th Five Year Plan, the centrally sponsored scheme has been merged into National AYUSH Mission, through which financial support is provided to the states in accordance with their annual action plans for quality control activities, infrastructural & functional development of pharmacies and drugs testing laboratories and engagement of technical manpower.