Last Updated on December 18, 2024 by The Health Master
Ayurvedic Medicine
The Suvarna Karnataka Chemists and Distributors Association (SKCDA) is advocating for a significant shift in the regulatory landscape of Ayurvedic medicine in Karnataka.
They are urging the state government to bring the Directorate of Ayurveda under the purview of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), formerly known as the drugs control department.
Also read related news: Karnataka creates unified Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
This move aims to enhance quality control, standardize testing, and ensure the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicine.
The Need for Unified Oversight
Currently, the Directorate of Ayurveda operates its own single drug testing laboratory.
In contrast, the state drugs control department, now the FDA, boasts three well-equipped labs in Bengaluru, Hubballi, and Belagavi, primarily used for testing allopathic medicines.
The SKCDA argues that utilizing the FDA’s existing infrastructure and expertise would significantly improve the quality assurance of Ayurvedic medicines.
This is especially important considering that homeopathic medicines are already regulated by the Karnataka drug control department.
This call for integration stems from concerns about the current regulatory framework.
The SKCDA highlights that the current system has led to a rise in substandard and spurious Ayurvedic medicines in the market.
By bringing Ayurvedic medicine under the FDA, the association believes that stricter regulations and standardized testing will become possible.
Strengthening Quality Assurance and Public Trust
Ashokswamy Heroor, chairman of the Legal Cell at SKCDA, emphasized the importance of this change in a communication to the state government.
He stated that integrating the Directorate of Ayurveda under the FDA is crucial for ensuring that Ayurvedic and herbal medicines meet rigorous standards of quality, efficacy, and safety.
Key Concerns Highlighted by SKCDA:
- Substandard Medicines: The current system allows substandard herbal medicines to enter the market, potentially harming public health and eroding consumer trust.
- Lack of Standardized Testing: The limited testing capacity within the Directorate of Ayurveda hinders comprehensive quality control.
- Need for Alignment with Modern Practices: Integrating Ayurvedic regulation under the FDA would align traditional medicine with modern regulatory practices, promoting transparency and accountability.
The SKCDA believes that bringing Ayurveda under FDA oversight will address these concerns by facilitating standardized testing, stricter oversight, and streamlined compliance protocols.
This will ensure that herbal medicines are consistently of high quality, free from contaminants, and not adulterated.
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure
A significant advantage of this proposed change is the availability of existing, well-equipped testing facilities within the FDA.
The Bengaluru lab is NABL accredited, signifying its adherence to high standards of competence.
The labs in Hubballi and Belagavi are also equipped to test Ayurvedic medicines, making the transition smoother and more efficient.
Benefits of FDA Oversight:
- Standardized Testing: Utilizing FDA labs ensures consistent and reliable testing procedures.
- Improved Quality Control: Stricter oversight by the FDA will lead to better quality assurance of Ayurvedic products.
- Streamlined Compliance: A unified regulatory framework will simplify compliance for manufacturers and distributors.
- Enhanced Public Trust: Increased transparency and accountability will build greater public confidence in Ayurvedic medicines.
Call for Action
The SKCDA is urging the state government to take swift action and bring the production and sale of Ayurvedic medicines under the jurisdiction of the Karnataka FDA.
This move, they believe, will ensure that high-quality Ayurvedic medicines are readily available to the public, promoting both public health and the integrity of the Ayurvedic system.
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Why does the SKCDA want FDA oversight of Ayurveda?
To improve quality control, standardize testing, and ensure the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic products.
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What are the benefits of this change?
Standardized testing, improved quality control, streamlined compliance, and enhanced public trust.
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What is NABL accreditation?
It is a mark of competence for testing and calibration laboratories.
Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
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