Indian Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Bill gets Cabinet nod

Monday, February 01, 2010 08:00 IST
Ramesh Shankar, Mumbai

The much-delayed ‘Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill' will be introduced in the budget session of Parliament as the Centre has approved the proposal of the Union Health Ministry in this regard. The Bill, which has been pending for several years, aims to bring in uniformity in the healthcare delivery sector by making the registration of all clinical establishments mandatory and prescribing enhanced penalty for the defaulters. The next session of Parliament is expected to commence in the last week of February.

The Union cabinet in its meeting recently has approved the proposal of the health ministry for the introduction of the Bill in order to achieve the mandate of Article 47 of the Constitution for improvement in public health. Once the Bill gets the approval of Parliament, initially the law will come into effect in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and all union territories. It is expected that other states would also adopt this legislation later.

The Bill was to be introduced in the last session of Parliament and in fact it was also included in the legislative business prepared for the last session, but the health ministry could not complete the procedures for the introduction of the Bill.

The main purpose of the law is to provide a legislative framework for the registration and regulation of clinical establishments in the country and also seeks to improve the quality of health services through the National Council for Standards by prescribing minimum standards of facilities and services which may be provided by them. This would permit categorization and classification of different clinical establishments depending on their geographical location as well as services offered. It will also initiate the process for the creation of a national registry of clinical establishments existing in the country.

Even though several states have already enacted laws for regulating health care providers, the general perception is that current regulatory process for healthcare providers in India is inadequate or not responsive to ensure health care services of acceptable quality and prevent negligence.

Presenlty, the supervision and regulation of the quality of services provided by the health care delivery system to the people by both public and private sectors has largely remained a contentious matter and therefore, unresolved issue. The current structure of the healthcare delivery system does not provide enough incentives for improvement in efficiency. The private sector health care delivery system in India has remained largely unregulated and uncontrolled. Problems range from inadequate and inappropriate treatment, excessive use of higher technologies, wastage of scarce resources and problems of medical malpractice and negligence.

Once the law comes into effect, all the clinical establishments in the country have to follow the mandatory registration. As per the Bill, clinical establishment would include hospitals, maternity home, nursing home, dispensary, clinics and similar facilities with beds that offer diagnosis, treatment or care for illness or injury or pregnancy in any recognised system of medicine (Allopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha and Unani). It also includes any laboratory (either established as independent entity or part of an establishment) which offers pathological, bacteriological, genetic, radiological, chemical, biological and other diagnostic or investigative services. Furthermore, the establishment can be owned by the government or department of the government, a Trust (public or private), a corporation (including a cooperative society), a local authority and a single doctor establishment.

Source: PharmaBiz

India Sweden MOU : Indo-Swedish Health Week

INDIA TO OFFER EXPERTISE IN YOGA AND GENERIC DRUGS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

19:39 IST

The Indo Swedish week, to commemorate the first anniversary of the signing of the MoU between the two countries,is being observed from 1-5 th February. Ms. Maria Larsson, Hon’ble Minister of Elderly Care and Public Health, Government of the Kingdom of Sweden would leading a delegation.She would also be accompanied by Ms. Karin Johansson, State Secretary to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs,and around 70 delegates from Sweden. The health week would be inaugurated jointly by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Swedish Minister on Monday .

The two countries have their traditional strengths which they would like to share. India would like to offer its expertise in traditional medicines like yoga and ayurveda as well as good quality and cheap generic drugs; while Sweden would like to offer its expertise in the field of diagnostics and medical education.

The two countries have identifed common areas of collaboration for which thematic workshops in six fields viz antimicrobial resistance, pharmaceuticals, medical research, health policy research, alcohol policy and adolescent health is being organised at the National Institute of Health and family Wellfare on the 2nd February. Activities for the week are planned at Hyderabad, Bangaluru and Mumbai.

Source: PIB India

Journey of Ayurveda - Milestones in the development

• Divine origin of Ayurveda from Lord Brahma - Dates back to origin of human race

• Mention of various references on Health, Diseases and Medicinal Plants in Rig-veda and Atharv-veda -5000 BC

• Origin of Attreya and Dhanwantari School of Ayurveda -1000 BC

• Documentation of Charaka Samhita - 600 BC

• Documentation of Sushruta Samhita- 500 BC

• Advent of Muslim Rulers and start of the Decline of Ayurveda - 1100 to 1800

• Resurrection of Ayurvedic system of Medicine under the rule of Peshwas. - 1800 AD

• Classes in Ayurvedic medicine opened in Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta - 1827

• Discontinuation of classes in Government Sanskrit College by British - 1833

• Dr. Komar Commission (one-man commission) to make investigation in indigenous system of medicine - 1917

• Indian National Congress Convention at Nagpur recommended acceptance of Ayurvedic system of medicine as India's National Health Care System - 1920

• Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College in Delhi - 1921

• Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya established Ayurveda college in B. H.U., Varanasi - 1927

• Enforcement of Drugs and Cosmetics Act for Ayurvedic/Siddha/Unani medicines - 1940

• Bhora Committee or Health Survey and Development Committee recognised past services of indigenous medicines but failed to recommend for its further development. - 1943

• Chopra Committee recommended systems of old and modern systems of medicines to evolve a common system of medicine. - 1946

• Pharmaceutical Enquiry Committee headed by Dr. Bhatia, for intensive research in indigenous drugs of Ayurveda. - 1953

• Recommendation of Dave Committee for uniform standards of Ayurveda education - 1955

• Establishment of Institute of Post-Graduate Training and Research in Gujarat Ayurvedic University, Jamnagar, Gujarat - 1956 to 1957

• Udupa Committee set up. It recommended that there is a need for integrated system of medicine and a training course in Siddha and Ayurveda - 1958

• Establishment of Post Graduate Institute of Ayurveda at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - 1963 to 1964

• Amendment of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for Indian systems of medicines/drugs - 1964

• Establishment of Central Board of Siddha and Ayurvedic Education - 1964 to 1965

• Setting up of an apex Research Body for Indian medicine & Homoeopathy, 'Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CCRIMH)' - 1969

• Establishment of Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian medicine, Ghaziabad, U.P. - 1970

• Constitution of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) under IMCC Act - 1970

• Establishment of National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan - 1972 to 1973

• Publication of Part-I of Ayurvedic formulary containing 444 preparations - 1976

• Establishment of Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) - 1978

• Passing of Amended Drugs and Cosmetics Act regulating import/export of Indian Systems of Medicine - 1982

• Setting up of Indian Medicine Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. in Mohan, Almora Distt., Uttaranchal. - 1983

• Silver Jubilee function of Jawaharlal Nehru Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants Garden and Harbarium, Pune. Inaugurated by Shri R. Venkataraman, Vice-president of India . - 1986

• Second World Conference on Yoga & Ayurveda held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - 1986

• Foundation stone of Jawaharlal Nehru Anusandhan Bhawan, Institutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi by Hon'ble Vice President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma - 1988

• Establishment of National Academy of Ayurveda (Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth) - 1989

• Creation of separate Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy in Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India - 1995

• Introduction of Extra mural Research Programme for accredited organizations with central assistance - 1996

• Implementation of Central Scheme in 33 organizations for development of agro-techniques of important medicinal plants - 1997

• Maiden participation of Ayurveda alongwith other systems in India International Trade Fair - 1998

• Implementation of Central Scheme in 32 laboratories for developing pharmacopoeial standards of Medicinal Plants/ ISM Formualations - 1998

• Establishment of specialty clinic of Ayurveda in Central Govt. Hospital (Safdarjung Hospital) New Delhi - 1998

• Implementation of IEC( Information, Education & Communication) Scheme for NGOs for propagation and popularization of Ayurveda & other systems - 1998 to 1999

• Participation in Mystique India ( Exhibition cum fair on Indian Traditions) - 1997 to 1999

• Introduction of Vanaspati Van Scheme for large scale cultivation of Medicinal Plants - 1999

• Inauguration of Ayurveda conference at Newyork, USA by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee - 2000

• Gazette Notification for constitution of Medicinal Plant Board under the Deptt. of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy - 2000

• Publication of 2nd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia - 2000

• Introduction 7 of Ayurvedic Medicines in RCH Programme - 2000

• Constitution of Advisory group for research in Ayurveda - 2000

• Policy Decision on mainstreaming of Ayurveda in RCH programme as per National Population Policy - 2000

• Implementation of Central Scheme of assistance for strengthening of State Drug Testing Laborites and Pharmacies - 2000 to 2001

• Publication of 3rd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia - 2001

• Publication of English edition of 2nd volume of Ayurvedic Formulary of India - 2001

• Maiden participation of ISM tableau on Republic Day - 2001

• Exhibition and presentation of Ayurveda during World Health Assembly, Geneva - 2001

• Presentation on evidence based support by Deptt. of ISM&H before House of Lords, U.K. against Sir Walton Committee's Report on status and nomenclature of Ayurveda among Complementary and Alternative systems of Medicine - 2001

• Participation of Dept. in "Made in India" exhibition organized by CII in South Africa - 2001
 
Source: Department of Ayurveda, Government of India

Ancient Indian medicines to be patented in 5 foreign languages

2009-11-30 21:40:00

Medicinal formulations in the classical Indian texts of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha are being transcribed and then would be patented in five international languages, including German and Japanese, to prevent their misappropriation, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Health and Family Affairs S. Gandhiselvan said: 'Medicinal formulations present in classical texts of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Persian and Tamil Languages are being transcribed in patent application in five international languages - English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese for sharing with International patent offices, including United States Patent Office and European Patent Office.'

About 6,000 to 7,000 plants are estimated to be in use in the Indian systems of medicines, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.

He said according to a study conducted by the National Medicinal Plants Board through the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Tradition, 960 medicinal plants are in use in trade.

The minister said the department of AYUSH - or the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy under the ministry - has established the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in the ministry of science and technology to prevent the misappropriation of traditional knowledge by multinational companies.

Source: SifyNews

Patent rights over traditional Indian system of therapeutic practices

Lok Sabha:

There is no information with the Department of Ayush about any foreign country having established Ayurveda Universities, which are likely to get patent rights over traditional Indian system of therapeutic practices. The Government has taken the following steps in this regard: Department of AYUSH has identified some of the effective therapies and treatment of Ayurveda in the identified disease conditions.


i. Ksharsutra Therapy for Ano-Rectal disorders like Fistula in Ano and piles. Ksharsutra is minimally invasive para-surgical Ayurvedic procedure for the treatment of Ano-Rectal Disorders. This involves insertion of a special medicated thread i.e. Ksharsutra through the fistula passage with the help of a probe. A National Campaign on Ksharsutra Therapy has been launched and implemented in 16 States. A National Resource Center on Ksharsutra Therapy has been established in the Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to provide standardized treatment and undertake Research and Development. The treatment has been scientifically standardized and Research and Development is going on to further improve the technique and expand its benefits all over the country.


ii. Panchkarma is another strong area of Ayurveda. Various procedures of Panchkarma are being standardized by Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) and a document prepared by AYUSH has been sent to World Health Organization (WHO) to accept the Panchakarma treatment guidelines on safety and practices.

Aryavaidyashala, Kottakal, a well known institution for Panchakarma treatment, has also been assigned work to standardize Panchakarma treatment procedures.


iii. Under the Golden Triangle Partnership Project (GTP), the Department of AYUSH, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are working together to establish the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment in some identified disease conditions and practices. eg. Dislipeademia Benign prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) etc.


iv. Under the Extra-Mural Research (EMR) Scheme of Department of AYUSH and CCRAS is supporting various research projects to establish the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines.


v. The Government is funding the institutions like National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur; The institute of post graduate teaching and research in Ayurveda (IPGT&RA), Jamnagar under Gujarat Ayurveda University and Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to undertake scientific research to establish the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines.


vi. The Department of Science & Technology and ICMR is also supporting number of research projects on Ayurveda to establish the efficacy as well as safety of Ayurvedic medicines.


vii. Under the National Campaign on Geriatric Health Care through Ayurveda and Siddha, standard Ayurvedic treatment protocols have been prepared by CCRAS which are under publication. Weekly clinics one attracting large Geriatric Patients.


viii. Department of AYUSH has also started a Campaign on Anemia Treatment through Ayurveda. The project has been started in the State of Himachal Pradesh and CCRAS will be expanding this programme in some couple of States also.


ix. Department of AYUSH through Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeial Committee has published various volumes of Ayurvedic Formularies and Pharmacopeias under which the quality standards of 540 single drugs and 101 multiple ingredients formulations has been published. Therefore, the standardized medicines will ensure the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines and practices.


x. The Department of AYUSH in collaboration with the University of Mississippi, USA, has set up a Centre for Research in Indian Systems of Medicine (CRISM) for promotion, propagation and validation of the AYUSH systems


This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)


Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India


Good luck Ayurveda !