Many of the Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani drugs supplied to the government hospitals, ESI hospitals and CGHS dispensaries in Tamil Nadu are not completely tested before they are distributed through the public health delivery systems, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR), Chennai.

The Centre, in a statewide study, has found that out of the more than 200 ISM drugs manufacturing units across the state, majority of them are not even following the GMP regulation, Schedule-T, and the directorate of Indian Medicines is not initiating any action against any company. The office of the ISM Commissioner remains a silent spectator to the malpractices of the manufacturing companies.

While briefing Pharmabiz about the study report, the secretary of CTMR, Dr T Thirunarayanan, said, “The life of common man is at stake when spurious and adulterated medicines reach government hospitals and ESI hospitals. Proprietary medicines are being pushed into ESI dispensaries and CGHS dispensaries without proper testing for personal gains.”

Tamil Nadu is a big state with a good tradition of herbal drugs and traditional medicines, and a vast majority of the population still depends on Siddha system of treatment. Government is not considering the seriousness of the acceptance of Siddha medicines. The lethargy of the government is evident from the fact that the ISM sector in Tamil Nadu is not governed by a strong administrative mechanism. It is alleged that the office of the health minister does not give any directive to the directorate of ISM as it does not show any willingness to promote the system by supporting the industry or enforcing the laws.

Recently, an ayurvedic drug, manufactured by a company in Chennai was found adulterated with Viagra, and the product was banned in Kerala. The major complaint against the ISM sector in Tamil Nadu is that the drugs manufactured here are not tested in the government laboratory and sample collections are zero. The department has no trained drugs inspectors to conduct inspections or samples collections.

“There is not a strong industry association in the ISM sector. The department is taking advantage of the situation. Nobody is there to question or to raise complaints. Even if any complaint is given to the government, no response is there. This is the supporting factor for the directorate to remain inactive,” said a source.