Of 11,889 samples of Ayush medicines tested in 24 States from 2013-14 to 2015-16, 254 samples failed quality testing, according to information given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
In the case of the Capital, 41 samples of Ayush medicines were found substandard/ spurious/adulterated and eight cases are on in court.
Action taken
Mr. Naik noted that State Licensing Authorities reported having taken action against samples not complying with standards, including issuing show cause notices to manufacturers, suspension /cancellation of licences, recall of batch of medicines concerned from the market, and prosecution.
Regulatory provisions for spurious ayurvedic and unani medicines are prescribed in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The penalty provisions are also defined in Section 33-I of the Act for the defaulter to be punished with imprisonment for a term up to three years determined by the court and a monetary fine. The responsibility to enforce these provisions lies with the State governments concerned.
The Minister noted that the government has implemented a Centrally-sponsored scheme of National AYUSH Mission, through which grant-in-aid from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh per dispensary/ hospital per annum is provided for supply of essential AYUSH medicines to States on approval of the State Annual Action Plan.
States are required to procure these medicines in accordance with the essential drugs lists published by the Central government and at least 50% of the grant funds have to be utilised for procurement of medicines from Central or State Public Sector Undertakings/ cooperative pharmacies.
