Quality concerns in herbal medicine pose challenge: Govt

Traditional medicines have complex formulation which can’t be explained through conventional parameters, AYUSH Minister Sripad Yesso Naik asserted on Tuesday as his ministry battles a controversy over advertisement of an Ayurvedic drug as cure for diabetes.

At the same time, he said it is necessary to ensure quality of products “for the sake of safety and for consumers to use these medicines with confidence”, adding it remain a challenge that needs to be addressed through validation and proper enforcement of regulation. His remarks came amid a row over advertisement of ayurvedic formulation AYUSH-82. 

It was developed by Central Council of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences- an autonomous body under AYUSH Ministry- earlier this year, claiming it could treat diabetes. The controversial advertisement was pulled off air in October.

The Drugs and Magic Remedies Objectionable Advertisements Act-1954 disallows advertisements of cure for chronic illnesses like diabetes. Early last month Kerala’s State Drugs Control Department had seized these drugs worth over Rs 20 lakh.

Sripad Naik said, “Many questions are raised about the scientific basis of traditional medicine, their 

quality, safety and efficacy. It is true that the facet of the traditional and complex herbal formulation can’t be explained fully on the conventional parameters used for testing of chemical drugs.

“But for the sake of safety and consumers to use these medicines with confidence, it is necessary to ensure quality of products.” 

 “Quality concern in herbal medicine remains a challenge that needs to be addressed through validation and proper enforcement of regulation.”