It's only a step away for Karnataka ayush sector to get fully complied with good manufacturing practices (GMP), as there are only six units that need to seek the Schedule T certification and achieve total GMP certification in the state.

Presently there are 167 ayush units in the state, of which 161 units are already GMP certified. "The remaining six units, which are in varied stages of approval, are Shataayu Pharmacy, All Well Formulations, Southern Trading Corporation, Shanbhag Ayur, Ayur Rashmi Herbal and Amen Pharma. These companies have applied for licenses and are in the process of scrutiny. We will also need to physically inspect the premises of these units," said, Dr TS Gopalakrishna, drugs inspector, Karnataka Directorate of Ayush.

However, the implementation of GMP has adversely affected the small ayush units in the state. In 2003, there were 287 ayush units in Karnataka and over 120 units were closed, as they were not in a position to comply with GMP.

"The compliance of Schedule T was unnecessary for small units. All that was required for them was to maintain the quality standards in production. This schedule for GMP was unnecessary and uncalled for. This has led to the closure of small and tiny units in the state and is resulting in serious unemployment problems. The small units were only present in the domestic market. Therefore, it was only necessary to assess the quality standards," noted, Ramdas D Raikar, president, North Karnataka Ayush Manufacturers Association and vice president, Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA).

"The Union government's department of Ayush's orders for total compliance have literally seen small manufacturers vanishing from the scene. There are too many hurdles for the small units to cross. These include investments in modernisation of infrastructure and equipment installation, among other things. This has made it unaffordable for the small units to survive," he added.