One may be tempted to laud the Centre for its reported decision to conduct ‘clinical trials’ of ayurvedic and homoeopathic medicines. Last week, an official at the ministry of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH) said some hospitals are carrying out these trials in an attempt to lend authenticity to traditional medicines.

Although India has rich traditional systems of medical care, it has not done enough to bring them into the mainstream by testing them against modern, scientific methods. Further, the sector is precariously under-regulated, allowing too many quacks to take patients for a ride. This chaotic nature of the industry is the primary reason behind its abysmally low growth rate. In spite of the fact that Ayurveda has been in existence for hundreds of years in this part of the world, its slice of the healthcare pie is valued only at about ₹5,000 crore today; a CII report says the herbal sector alone has the potential to reach ₹7,000 crore by 2020. Testing traditional medicines scientifically to prove their efficacy can enhance this potential manifold.

That said, the current ‘trials’ are no way near this goal — these are mere observational studies. Which means, ayurvedic and homoeopathic medicines are given to a select group of individuals and their results on these patients are recorded. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences is coordinating these studies. The Centre should shed its inhibitions and frame a strict scientific testing regime for AYUSH and promote genuine products and companies.

Here, India has a lot to learn from China: it puts its traditional medicines to strenuous scientific scrutiny and comes up with products that are in sync with modern ideas of healthcare. Also, the Centre must enforce stringent regulations so that charlatans are exposed. An Exim Bank report has said the global herbal industry is likely to reach $6 trillion by 2050. Clearly, India has a lot to gain from it.

Jinoy Jose P Senior Assistant Editor

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