0
0
New Delhi, July 29, 2025:
The Indian government has unveiled a suite of robust measures to significantly enhance the quality, safety, and global recognition of Ayush medicines—the collective term for traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy. These efforts span regulatory reforms, research innovations, quality certification, and international cooperation, as outlined today by the Ministry of Ayush.
Strengthening Production and Distribution
To guarantee the integrity of Ayush medicines, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, along with its associated rules, has established specialized regulatory guidelines governing the manufacture and sale of various traditional medicines. Manufacturers must comply with licenses, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) under Schedules T and M-I, and meet strict pharmacopoeial standards. Additionally, dedicated guidelines (Rules 160 A-J of the Drugs Rules, 1945) mandate the approval of drug testing laboratories responsible for verifying the quality, identity, and purity of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.
The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) is charged with setting the official quality benchmarks for these medicines, ensuring all domestic Ayush drugs conform to these standards. Moreover, a nationwide network of pharmacovigilance centers systematically monitors and reports adverse drug reactions, further bolstering the safety framework.
Extra emphasis has been placed on modernizing both Ayush pharmacies and drug testing laboratories under the Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), an ongoing initiative running through 2026. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has also established a dedicated Ayush division and issues WHO Certificates of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) to qualifying Ayush medicines. The third-party “Ayush Mark” certification by the Quality Council of India further attests to product compliance with domestic and international benchmarks.
Advancing Research and Capacity
Under the Central Sector AYURGYAN Scheme, the government is investing in capacity building, continuing medical education, and cutting-edge research within the Ayush sector. Since 2021, this program has provided financial support to clinical, pharmaceutical, literary, and medicinal plant research projects across India. It also integrates Ayurveda biology into broader health research as of 2023.
Apex bodies—including the Central Councils for Research in Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, Siddha, and Yoga & Naturopathy—drive comprehensive research, spanning medicinal plant studies, drug standardization, pharmacological trials, fundamental research, and outreach to tribal health needs.
Expanding Awareness and Global Recognition
Information Education and Communication (IEC) initiatives remain central to the Ministry’s national and international outreach. Through fairs, exhibitions, and media campaigns in multiple languages, citizens are educated about the benefits of Ayush systems. Collaborations through the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10 and 11), establishment of the Ayush Export Promotion Council, and international events such as Yoga and Ayurveda Day further raise the profile of traditional Indian medicine worldwide.
The Ministry has actively favored bilateral and institutional cooperation, signing 25 government-level MoUs with other nations and 15 similar agreements to establish Ayush academic chairs in foreign institutes. This is complemented by 51 institutional partnership agreements to facilitate collaborative research and training. Currently, 43 Ayush Information Cells operate in 39 countries, and foreign students are regularly offered scholarships for Ayush programs in India.
Union Minister of State (I/C), Shri Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted these initiatives in a statement to the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the government’s ongoing resolve to foster both the scientific rigor and the international reputation of India’s traditional healing systems.
Disclaimer: This article is based on an official press release by the Ministry of Ayush and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers should consult healthcare professionals or official government sources for more specific guidance on Ayush medicines and their regulatory status.
