AYUSH Ministry in collaboration with USP in process of harmonising standards of medicinal plants

In a bid to ensure that Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems get recognition abroad, the Ministry of AYUSH is in the process of harmonising the standards of herbal plants in collaboration with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

The move aims to not only ensure greater acceptance of such drugs in foreign countries, but also help Ayush doctors and therapists to practice there.

The aim is to ensure that Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems and AYUSH drugs get recognition abroad.

"The ministry has set a goal to increase its market share of AYUSH medicines and services three times in the next five years. Currently, the market size, according to a recent study by the CII, is USD 3 billion and we are looking at increasing it to USD 10 billion," a government official said.

Also, every country has its own regulations, any drug that is imported has to comply with their regulations.

According to the official, there are several herbal drugs which have met the quality standards in the past few years.

For instance, anti-diabetic herbal drug BGR-34, which has been developed by the government's scientific research body, Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) after following due scientific process. It has also gone through clinical trials. Similarly, there is Saheli contraceptive pills and several other drugs which have been scientifically validated.

This will ensure that they are sold as drugs and not supplement as is being done presently, the official said.

Welcoming the long-awaited initiative of the government, Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharma engaged in manufacturing of herbal medicines said, "It will be a proud moment for India when our Ayurveda drugs are accepted by the citizens of the other countries. Presently, they are visiting India to avail the benefits of Ayurveda. But soon they will be getting these drugs in their countries itself within the legal system."