Union government has approved the National Ayush Mission which will address the gaps in Indian system of traditional medicine covering Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (ASU&H). The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared the National Ayush Mission (NAM) with its core components.

The proposed Mission will deal with the disparity in the health services through the supporting efforts of the state and union territories (UT) for providing Ayush health services and education in the county particularly in the remote and far flung areas.

Under NAM, special focus will be given to allocation of higher resources in their annual plan. The Mission will help in the improvement of Ayush education through enhancement in the number of upgraded institutions.

The Mission is also ensuring the better access to Ayush services through increase in the number of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries apart from ensuring regular availability of drugs and trained manpower.

It will also provide sustained availability of quality Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy drugs through increase in the number of pharmacies, drug test labs and improved enforcements mechanism.

The central government noted that the country had an unmatched heritage represented by its ancient system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy which are a treasure house of knowledge preventive and promotive healthcare. The positive features of the Indian system of medicine which is known for its diversity, affordability and accessibility to large number of economically backward patients is a big advantage, said the government. The acceptance of the Indian traditional system of medicine by the general public at a comparatively lesser cost and growing economic value have great potential to provide healthcare services in this system of medicine.

Commenting on the NAM, JSD Pani, president Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA), said that this is the best which could have happened to the Indian system of medicine. It also depicts the government's focus and importance given to the sector.

The government of Karnataka should take special cognizance of the National Ayush Mission creation before it takes any drastic step in the merger of the two systems of medicine: Ayush with allopathy. The state should now discuss in detail with the Union government on its intention to combine the enforcement wing and administration under the purview of the Karnataka drugs control department, pointed out Pani.

It may be noted that the effort to merge the state Ayush department with that of the drugs control department that is responsible for the approval of allopathy drugs was criticised by the industry.

According to DBA Narayana, pharma consultant, the move is a real welcome step and long-awaited. It is hoped that the government is serious this time. However, the government will need to convince the medical councils and state governments to give Ayush healthcare and medicines a rightful place in the country. There have been many similar announcements earlier and it is hoped that this time it would actually materialise.

According to the EXIM Bank report, the herbal industry in India is estimated to be valued at Rs.4,205 crore with exports at Rs.440 crore. The growth rate of the sector is 15-20 per cent annual. The sector has the potential to grow to Rs.7,000 crore by 2020.