Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians (IIHP), the all India association of qualified homeopaths based at New Delhi, has demanded the setting up of a separate Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for homoeopathy in the country. It has maintained that no amendment made to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with regard to homoeopathy without a recommendation from a proper homoeo DTAB can be valid and said that the recent amendment to the Schedule K of the Act can be challenged in the court.

Speaking to Pharmabiz.com, Dr N Srinivasa Rao, secretary general, IIHP felt that the recent amendment of the Schedule K of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, allowing 32 homoeopathic drugs to be sold over the counter, can also be challenged in the Court of Law as it was not recommended by an expert council consisting of homoeo experts. He wanted the Central government to set up a separate committee for the purpose before any such amendments pertaining to homoeopathy were done. The existing DTAB consists mainly of experts from the allopathic branch of medicine.

According to him the government has to set up a separate expert committee for homoeopathy as it has done for Ayurveda. The Section 33 C of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act provides for an exclusive DTAB for traditional medicines. Termed as Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani Drug Technical Advisory Board, the expert committee advises the government on all technical matters.

The IIHP has been asking for a separate DATB for some time now. It had even initiated a national debate on the subject and tried to muster the support of all homeopaths in this regard during last year.

Dr Srinivas recalled that an earlier attempt to amend the Act in order to prohibit the sale of homoeopathic Mother Tinctures and dilutions above 30ml & 100ml packing was thwarted by the Court after it adjudged that a body comprising of only one system of medicine is incompetent to recommend changes pertaining to other systems of medicine. He hinted that the association might have to approach the court if the companies are coming out with new OTC products based on the recent Schedule K amendment.

The trade associations of homeopathic chemists have already protested against the amendment. Several state associations, including the ones representing Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and North Eastern states have decided to boycott all the companies that are coming out with OTC versions of these products. The three major companies who are known to be gearing up for marketing more homoeopathic drugs as OTC are known to be Sharada Boiron Pvt. Ltd, Ghaziabad, Ashwini Homeo Pharmacy, Hyderabad and Syntex International Pvt Ltd., Gujarat.