In a major step towards safeguarding Indian herbal/ayurvedic medicine against red alerts from developed markets, a high level meeting for preparing a scheme for export inspection and certification of ASU&H (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic) medicine will be held on January 12 in New Delhi.

According to the press release issued by Pharmexcil, Department of Ayush has constituted a special group to put in place the inspection/export certification for herbal medicines on the basis of testing for heavy metals / microbial load and pesticide residue. The certification is expected to bring consistency in the Indian products and assure safety of the products in the export market.

The members of the group are from Government laboratories of Ayush, Drugs Controller General of India, Central Indian Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, Export Inspection council, Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Associations, National Medicinal Plants Board, and also renowned members from the ayurvedic industry. It is expected that based on the certification ASU&H products will find much more acceptability in the international market.

The group will be meeting to discuss the methodology of giving certification about the product being free from heavy metals, pesticide residues and also microbial contamination. The limits for the three parameters will be finalised. Further parameters relating to chromatographic identification of ingredients and quantification will be discussed at the meeting. The meeting also prioritises to promote Botanicals, Nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

As per the industry estimates contribution of herbal medicine is less compared to the market potential, which is estimated around Rs 5000 crore. With developed countries showing interest in the products, which pass these parameters, it is hoped that the Government's certification will enhance the exports substantially.

Pharmexcil will prepare a future road map for Ayush Industry with a strategic paper for the coming 5 years and will also prepare Drug Master Files for which it has urged the industry to extend full co-operation for preparation of the document.

Suggestions can be given by email to info@pharmexcil.com by 10th January 2007.