Indian Drug Manufactures Association (IDMA) organised a workshop on 'facing challenges of heavy metals and microbial contamination of Ayurvedic and herbal industry' on February 25, here in Mumbai.

The workshop was inaugurated by Shiv Basant, Jt. secretary AYUSH. Dr Ashok Vaidya made presentation on metal contents in Bhasmas. Shailesh Nadkarni, who presented paper on ' Ayurvedic approach to detoxify potentiate metals for therapeutics, described about various purification methods like 'Shodhan', 'Shaman,' 'Maran', 'putan Sanskar' etc. He said about various application of heat to purify bhasmas like Kukkut puta, Gajaputa and Maha puta.

Dr P S Jain of Perkin Elmer said about instrumental methods for detection of heavy metals. Dr Nimish Shah, principle scientist, Hindustan Lever Research Centre made description on 'Microbiological safety & quality assurance of Ayurvedic products'

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion on strategy for Ayurvedic and herbal industry.