Authority for AYUSH

Govt proposes to set up separate central authority for AYUSH PTI The Hindu Business Line New Delhi, Feb 27: The Government has moved a proposal to set up a separate central authority for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik said that the enforcement of regulatory provisions for ayurveda, siddha, unani, and homoeopathy medicines is presently vested with state governments but there is no separate regulatory authority at the central level. “Therefore, considering the distinct nature of ayurvedic, siddha, unani, and homoeopathy medicines and huge size of its industry, the Government, on recommendation of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Drugs Consultative Committee, has moved a proposal to set up a separate central authority,” the minister said in a reply in Lok Sabha. The Department of AYUSH aims at providing attention to development of education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy systems. The objective is to oversee the implementation of relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and develop improved coordination between central and state regulatory authorities for effective quality control of AYUSH drugs. Final decision in this regard has not yet been taken, the minister added. Naik also gave details of action initiated against the offenders regarding spurious, sub-standard, adulterated and expired AYUSH medicines reported and investigated. (This article was published on February 27, 2015)