In a major bid to recognise the efforts of the Karnataka Directorate of Indian System of Medicine & Homeopathy, the union government under the centrally sponsored schemes, sanctioned a funding of Rs 1.25 crore. Out of this, Rs 45 lakh is to be used for the upgradation of the Government Central Pharmacy. The grant of Rs 80 lakh is for the supply of essential drugs to the ISM dispensaries in the remote areas in the state.

Recently, the government has also given a grant of Rs 55 lakh to import equipment to the drug-testing lab in the Government Central Pharmacy. The Directorate has gone ahead in purchasing imported HPTLC, HPLC and water purification system. It will shortly receive the atomic absorption spectophotometre and a second HPLC. "After giving the utilisation details of the imported range of equipment we will receive additional instruments that will cater specifically to the needs of small GMP compliant companies that can utilise the services of the drug test lab," said Dr. BS Nataraj, director, Directorate Indian System of Medicine & Homeopathy.

The union government has also adjudged the State's Government Ayurveda College as the model institution in the country. It has also approved grants to the tune of Rs 3 crore for the expansion of the Government Ayurveda College. Out of this amount, the Directorate has received Rs 1.5 crore and has devised the blue-print for the construction of an Out Patient Department (OPD). In addition, the college has also been given the approval by the Centre to conduct five new postgraduate programmes in Hygiene, Paediatrics, gynaecology) anatomy and physiology from the academic year 2005.

For the overall development of the Indian System of Medicine and homeopathy in the state, the directorate has sent in a proposal for a Rs 40 crore aid to the centre. The funds will be utilised for setting up dedicated Indian System Medicine department in three of the district hospitals in Kolar, Gulbarga and Belgaum. As a first phase of the development project, the Directorate will start the ISM departments at the three districts hospitals out of the total 27 districts before the end of the year. The remaining district hospitals will be added on in a phased manner, stated Dr. Nataraj.