The ayurvedic professionals and industry leaders in Kerala have written to the newly elected government of the state and the regulatory authorities to take stringent action, without any bias, against the production and sale of fake Ayush products like ‘Ayur Kizhi’ and the practising of Ayurveda by quacks claiming traditional knowledge.

Bowing to political pressure, the previous government had granted the traditional healers in the northern part of Kerala permission to practice Ayurveda and homoeopathy maintaining that they were members of traditional healing families. Besides, some provisions in the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council Act had also supported the government to issue such an order. This decision of the LDF government had created a hue and cry among the qualified and registered ayurvedic professionals in Kerala, and afterwards the Ayurvedic Medical Association of India (AMAI) filed petition in the High Court, and secured a verdict staying the government order.

Now for a final solution to the issue, the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) has given a memorandum to the chief minister demanding cancellation of the previous government’s order of February 21, 2011. The memorandum given by Dr D Ramanathan, the president of AMMOI, says that the decision allowing the quacks to practice Ayurveda was taken ignoring the directions of the union government. It further says that the regulations of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) strictly prevent the practising of unqualified doctors and fake healers. The CCIM had issued directions to all the states in 2009 in this regard.

Regarding sale of fake ayurvedic products, Dr V G Udayakumar, the general secretary of the Ayurvedic Medical Association of India has complained to the state ISM drugs controller requesting immediate measures to control the sale of such products. He said departmental action should be initiated against the product “Ayur Kizhi” (external heat therapy kit), being sold by Thrissur based company, Ayur Care (Institute of Indian Therapy). By giving advertisements to the fake products, the company is doing roaring business all over India. The department should maintain strict vigil against quackery and sale of fake products, he said.

According to his complaint the manufacturers of Ayur Kizhi is giving wide publicity for this product violating laws and its formulation processes are against the principles of Ayurveda system. He alleged that the company was making attempts to establish a misunderstanding among the public that certain ayurvedic way of treatments could be able to do only through the application of the company’s patented products like ‘kizhi’. Dr Udayakumar apprised the drugs control department that this action of the company was not only bogus, but also would mislead the public about the efficacy of some ayurvedic treatments that were claimed to be done by the application of Ayur care products.

In April this year, the Kerala drugs control department had raided the manufacturing unit of Ayur Kizhi and seized bundles of products and packing materials for violation of drugs and cosmetics act. According to the regulatory officials, the company was manufacturing and selling the product as a branded item without licence. The case is still in the court.

Later while speaking to Pharmabiz, Dr Udayakumar said the company is selling other two items, Ayur Lavana Thailam and Ayur Vaji Thailam, claimed to be remedies for reducing fat and for increasing sexual power. He requested the authorities to conduct an inquiry into the veracity of the claims of these medicines and cancel the licences issued to the company to manufacture such unqualified products. He also said the manufacture and sale of these fake products will affect the scientific methods of treatment, the quality and standard of systematical formulations and after all diminish the dignity of the ayurvedic professionals in the country.