CCRAS, CCRUM and ICMR collaborate for Ayurvedic and Unani formulation to treat treat Dengue and Tuberculosis Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines(CCRUM) have signed MOUs with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for joint collaborative projects on Ayurvedic and Unani formulations related to treatment of Dengue and Tuberculosis respectively. Research Councils under Government of India are conducting clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines in various ailments. Government has set up Central Research Councils with 80 field units distributed across the country for promoting scientific validation and efficacy evaluation studies of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines. Though the term Clinical Trial as such is not prescribed in the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there under pertaining to Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines, yet Ministry of AYUSH has taken steps for facilitating 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, setting up of an Expert Committee to make recommendations for grant of approval to new clinical trial proposals and implementation of a central sector scheme of extra-mural research for supporting scientific exploration of AYUSH interventions and remedies in various medical and other R&D institutions. Also, Rule 158-B has been inserted 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. Similarly, prior to licensing of new homoeopathic medicines there is a statutory requirement of documentary and other evidence of therapeutic efficacy including the minimum proving carried out with them. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in reply to an unstarred question in LokSabha today.
