The Karnataka ayurveda industry is strongly opposing the union commerce ministry's proposal to implement 'certification scheme' for the exporters of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) under which all the ASU products will be subject to quality control and inspection by Export Inspection Council (EIC), an arm of commerce ministry, before exporting these products.
Terming the commerce ministry's move as a futile exercise incurring cost increase and a waste of time, the Karnataka ayurveda industry supported the stand taken by IDMA which has urged the government to suspend the scheme immediately.
Though the state has a total of 162 ayurveda units, there are only a handful of exporters which include the Himalaya Drug Company, Natural Remedies, Bal Vedics which is the herbal arm of Bal Pharma, Capro Labs and Madhur Pharma & Research Laboratories.
According to JSD Pani, president, Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association, (KIMMA), the ayurveda sector in Karnataka is in total agreement with the views of IDMA. There need not be multiple regulatory authorities for certification of ASU products for export. If necessary, the government may strengthen the ASU regulatory authorities for monitoring and certification for export .It is more than necessary to have a discussions with all the stake-holders including ASU regulatory authority before deciding on the issue finally, he added.
Himalaya Drug Company, which is one among the largest herbal drug makers also felt that the government needs to keep in mind the interests of all manufacturers when formulating a regulation.
"At the moment, it is sufficient if Ayush products being exported are approved by regulatory bodies in the importing countries. This regulatory framework is strong, ensures quality control and puts the onus on the manufacturer to comply with the specified regulations. By creating an additional regulatory check through the certification scheme, we will only end up duplicating the entire effort which will result in increasing costs and wastage of time", said "Dr S K Mitra, executive director- R&D, Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd.
Of course, large companies would not be affected in terms of costs but this could prove disastrous for smaller manufacturers, reducing their competitiveness in international markets. The government needs to focus on checking parallel export or illegal baggage trade of products meant for domestic market. Moreover, by implementing the same stringent rules and regulations for the domestic market as are applicable in international markets, the government can ensure uniformity in quality of products, said Dr Mitra.
The ayurveda sector is not mature enough to accept the certification scheme. The sector has a long way to go to succeed in the international markets. There is a need to ensure that certain parameters are in place. Many companies which are in the small and medium segment that want to export are not able to do so, going by the documentation and regulatory hurdles, pointed out Dr TTS Nair, advisor, marketing, Capro Labs Exports India.