Central Research Councils to validate ayurvedic, unani, homoeo medicines

In a move aimed at promoting scientific validation of indigenous medicines, Ministry of AYUSH has set up Central Research Councils. The role of research councils will be to validate ayurvedic, unani and homoeopathic medicines.

In reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (I/C) for AYUSH Shripad Naik on Wednesday said, “The ministry has also taken steps to facilitate clinical trials in AYUSH, like publication of good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines, issuing directive for registration of AYUSH clinical trials in Clinical Trials Registry of India and setting up of an expert committee to make recommendations for grant of approval to new clinical trial proposals.”

“Also, Rule 158-B has been included in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for seeking the proof of effectiveness and safety of certain categories of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines as a licensing requirement,” Naik told the House. The scientific validation of any medicine is necessary for the marketing and sale of ayurvedic products in foreign markets. In a first, CARe Keralam had recently scientifically validated the anti-diabetes ayurvedic formulation Nishaakathakaadhi Kashayam (NKK).