Ayurvedic system of medicine is an existing ancient traditional system of medicine of India. Its role has significantly been boosted with the establishment of Ministry of Ayush, which has resulted into focused growth of the sector in terms of medical education, practice, manufacturing, research and International cooperation. The significance and usage of Ayurvedic medicines has been further noticed during the wake of Covid -19.

Separate data of earning from selling Ayurvedic medicines is not available. However, as per records the total Ayush and herbal medicines export of India has been of US$ 1.54 billion in the year 2020. (Source: Ayush Sector in India prospects and challenges published by Forum on India Traditional Medicines FITM-Research and Information Systems RIS-Ministry of AYUSH).

In domestic market Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL), a Government of India Enterprises under Ministry of Ayush has reported sale of Ayurvedic &Unani Medicines of about Rs. 164.02 Crore during the year 2020-21.

Under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder, it is mandatory for the manufacturer of Ayurvedic drugs to comply with the prescribed Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality standards of drugs given in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia for obtaininglicence from the concerned State Licensing Authority (SLA). The SLA grants the licence after verification of the required infrastructural facilities, equipment / machinery, manpower of the manufacturing unit through inspection(s) conducted by the inspector.

Further, the following steps are being taken to ensure safety and quality of Ayurvedic medicines by the State Government Officers empowered under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there under:

(i) Survey samples, legal samples and market samples are drawn regularly and sent to Government Drug Testing Laboratory to ascertain the quality of medicine.

(ii) Investigation of the complaints related to quality of Drugs.

(iii) Launch of prosecution in case of violation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder.

  There is one central appellate laboratory of Pharmacopoiea Commission of Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ghaziabad for testing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs. Apart from this 35 State Drug Testing Laboratories for testing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs are funded by the Ministry of Ayush through its schemes. Also, 67 Private Drug Testing Laboratories have been approved for testing of Ayushdrugs under Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945 as on 1^st April, 2021.

This information was given by Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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