The Chemicals and Fertilizers ministry may recognize the importance of traditional medicines in Indian healthcare system while drafting the National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006 it is learnt. The new policy may recommend special R&D sops at par with what is offered for modern drug discovery, for traditional medicine sector also, it is learnt. Most the suggestions made by the Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) in this regard are being seriously considered for incorporation, sources informed pharmabiz.com

According to official sources, the Department of AYUSH has asked for extending the proposed fiscal incentives for new AYUSH drugs also. "Fiscal incentives should be available for R&D of AYUSH drugs and unit organizations registered or accredited with AYUSH department".

With reference to incentives for Gold Standard companies, the department has stated that that all AYUSH pharmaceutical companies that take up manufacturing of R&D drugs developed by AYUSH Research Councils CSIR laboratories and from recognized in-house laboratories, should be free from price control. It has also called for an interest subsidy scheme for AYUSH units that are planning to upgrade their facilities as per the Good Manufacturing Practices prescribed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

The Department of AYUSH has also sought an active role of Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) in promoting the export of AYUSH drugs.

Another interesting recommendation made by the Department of AYUSH is related to the purchase preference agreement plans of the Chemicals Ministry. The AYUSH department wants C&F ministry to include AYUSH drugs also among the purchase preference list of PSUs. The purchase preference policy coupled with quality stipulations, will be an indirect incentive for AYUSH drug manufacturers to improve their quality, they feel.

The Department of AYUSH has also pointed out that the anti-cancer; HIV drugs that belong to the AYUSH category should also be recognized as alternative therapies in the pharma policy. It also wanted to make sure that all drugs derived out of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy medicines of proven efficacy should be considered as AYUSH drugs instead of new chemical entities (NCE).