The union consumer affairs ministry may not treat Ayurveda, Sidha and Unani (ASU) drug manufacturers in the country on par with the allopathic medicines by exempting them from implementing the Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules 1977. The ministry also may not allow more time to the ASU industry to comply with the rules. The ministry had given a time limit of December 31, 2007 to comply with the rules.

According to sources in the union consumer affairs ministry, though the ministry is getting representations in this regard it may not give any exemption to the ASU industry from implementing the rules. And the ministry will not extend the date to comply with the rule further. "Enough opportunity has been given to the industry to comply with the amended rules. The ministry is not contemplating any further extension in this regard", a senior consumer affairs ministry official said.

"One year is a good time to make the necessary changes in the system. The purpose of the ministry is not to harass the industry, but to provide information about the manufacturers to the larger interests of the consumers", he said.

The ASU industry in the country has been up in arms against the implementation of the amendments to the Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules 1977. The industry had demanded to the government to treat them at par with the allopathic medicines by exempting them from this amended Rule.

As per the amendment, the ASU manufacturers have to mention details like the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if available, of the person who can be or the office which can be contacted, in case of consumer's complaint on the medicinal pack label, except declaration regarding MRP on every package. Though the amendment was made way back in July 2006, the ministry had extended the date to December 31, 2007 to comply with the new rules.

According to ASU industry, the amendments to this rules has put the ASU drug manufacturers in the country in a precarious situation as re-training and informing over 9400 manufacturers and thousands of products and packs are proving to be an arduous task.