Govt has proposed setting up of a Central Drug Controller’s Office for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy to ensure quality and standard of these alternative medicines. “AYUSH has proposed setting up of a Central Drug Controller’s Office for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy to be headed by Additional Drug Controller General of India (AYUSH),” Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad told Lok Sabha in a written reply today. For creating infrastructure and sanction of posts in the proposed drug regulatory body, he said, “The matter for creation of required manpower is under examination in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and an allocation of Rs 80 lakh is made in the annual plan 2012-13 for the purpose.” To a question on medicinal usage of ‘panchagavya (five products obtained from cow)’, particularly cow urine, Azad said the government recognises it as in Ayurveda it is used for purification of many herbal drugs, metals and minerals in the process of medicine preparation. “A study conducted by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has said ‘panchagavya ghrita’ is safe, non-toxic and an immunostimulant,” he added.
Source : Business Standard
