Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) has promoted five officials to senior positions in a bid to speed up the approvals for Indian System of Medicine drugs.

A communiqué from the Department of Ayush, via order No. Z18017/27-DCC-Ayush stated that with the approval of the competent authority under Section 33 G of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940, 23 of 1940 read with rules 160(E) and 167 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945 five officials have been promoted. The new postings are one additional drugs controller and four drug inspectors for Ayurveda and Unani drugs.

The promoted candidates are Dr Janardhan Pandey, currently designated as the joint advisor (Ayurveda) and promoted as additional drugs controller (ASU) drugs. In his new role, he will have to look after the regulation of ASU drugs and Enforcement of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 throughout India in connection with the manufacturing and sale of ASU drugs in the country.

The four drugs inspector posts are: Dr M A Qasmi who is currently the assistant advisor (Unani), Department of Ayush, Dr G C Gaur, technical officer (Ayurveda), Dr Gaurav Sharma, research officer (Ayurveda) and Dr Suresh Kumar, research officer, (Ayurveda). They will inspect the premises of ASU manufacturing units/CGHS and other stores in the country. Further, the drug inspectors are also required to collect the samples and send for testing and initiate the necessary action under the Act.

According to JSD Pani, president, Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA) the move will now will see the Centre having control over the state departments of Ayush on similar lines of the allopathy drug sector. In fact, the new postings of officials would help the state government to become more efficient. It also augments the quality consciousness of the industry.

While on the one hand, the department of Ayush has enhanced opportunities for career development and advancement, on the other it would help to implement and evaluate situations in seeking faster drug approvals, he added.

"We are accountable as an industry and as members of the ADMA and KIMMA to ensure ethical practices. We are transparent and accountable for upholding established office procedures," stated industry officials.

In India, there are 9,385 Ayush units and over 90 per cent are in the small scale segment. Karnataka has 175 units in the Ayush sector. According to an estimate, the turnover of the sector is estimated at Rs 8000 crore of which 10 per cent is contributed by the units from Karnataka.