Monday, May 30, 2011

ayush drugs- unfit for human consumption?

Over 100 'traditional' drugs found unsuitable for humans sold openly in India
Neetu Chandra | New Delhi, May 30, 2011 | Updated 09:08 IST
Utilities



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* Drugs: Dos and don'ts

Many common alternative drugs failed tests for export.
It's shocking, but true. Hundreds of popular ayurvedic, homoeopathic and Unani medicines, which have been declared as either "unfit for human consumption", or have otherwise failed to pass essential quality tests for becoming eligible to be exported, are being freely sold in medical stores in Delhi and elsewhere.

Even more shockingly, these drugs have been certified unsafe by a government testing lab. But the Delhi government authority responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules on the part of manufacturers and sellers - the drug control department - professes to be unaware of the practice! "We have no information of such a practice. We will look into the matter seriously," said Ravi Kant, drug controller of Delhi AYUSH (ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy), department of the ministry of health and family welfare.

Nevertheless, scores of such formulations, which have failed to meet the export quality test, are doing brisk business in Delhi drugstores.

According to documents available, over 100 medicines failed to pass quality tests due to "substandard" quality, presence of heavy metals, or prohibited drugs and/or prescription allopathic drugs in alleged "herbal" medicines, are all being openly sold in the market.

Such prohibited content can have adverse and serious effects on the human body on consumption, health experts confirmed.

For instance, 'Missile Power' capsules and 'Xtra Power' capsules, tested at the government of India's Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine in Ghaziabad, were found to contain Sildenafil Citrate, the chemical in prescription drug Viagra.

Click here to Enlarge
This is not allowed in Ayurveda products, but both were found to be readily available in medical stores visited by this correspondent.

These capsules are consumed for enhancing sexual performance.

Even drugs meant for children were not spared. 'N Tone' syrup (a paediatric tonic for newborns) manufactured by On Ayurvedics, when tested, was found unfit for human consumption as it contained suspended particles.

The tonic is easily available on the internet and in homeopathic stores.

'Mrit Sanjivani Sura', medicinal syrup manufactured by Dabur India Limited, was found exceeding the legal limit of alcohol content, 16 per cent. The tested sample was found to contain 20.56 per cent alcohol.

Samples from other manufacturers of the same syrup, namely Leo Pharma and Rajan Ayurvedics, also failed to pass alcohol limit test. Woodland's medicated Gripe Water, manufactured by Tilak Pharmaceuticals Delhi, which claims to have 'soya seed', failed as there were no soya seeds in it.

While some like ' Panchskar churna' by Sahay Ayurvedic Pharma, failed as the composition and ingredients were not mentioned on the label, others like 'Doctor's Pudin Hara', manufactured by Bandish Chemicals, and Zinzoxin and Fenu Green by Bajaj Herbocare, failed because of prohibited substances, like Methanol, in them.

'Brahmi Vati' by Universal Medicaments, failed as it contained prohibited concentrations of heavy metals. The popular ayurveda medicine 'Rasayan Vati' was found to have exceeded the limit for Cadmium.

'Metascab' ointment was found exceeding limits of Lead and Arsenic, while Debbix tablets were found exceeding limits of lead and cadmium.

Homeopathic medicines Elixir Vita 8 manufactured by Welmans's Homeopathy Delhi and Gastrocin which are used in gastric disturbances, was found to contain alcohol in excess of permissible limits. Alfalfa Q for tiredness and fatigue also failed in alcohol content. Many homeopathic drugs were found in contravention of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954, like Gro-T Tablet by Holistic Remedies, Bio force AG and Heightex.

Click here to Enlarge
According to the act, treatment for certain diseases cannot be offered through advertisements. These drugs were found claiming to offer treatment by mere consumption of these drugs.

The authorities only appear to be concerned about preventing such medicines from being exported, since overseas health regulations do not permit such formulations.

"We have strictly issued a circular that herbal medicines found with heavy metals would not be exported to other countries. There is no regulation to curb the practice in India. Other countries refused to accept the India-made Ayurveda medicines with metals," said a senior official with the department of drug controls for alternative medicine, AYUSH. The government has fixed the permissible limits of heavy metals in ayurveda and Unani medicines with only herbal ingredients, which are in line with World Health Organisation and US Food and Drugs Administration norms. These limits are 10 parts per million (ppm) for lead, 0.030 ppm for cadmium, 3.0 ppm for arsenic and 1 ppm for mercury.

The Centre, vide its order dated October 14, 2005, has made testing for heavy metals, namely arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium, mandatory for export purposes in respect of every batch of purely herbal ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines by every licensee.

In view of the regulatory requirements of the importing country, the manufacturer is supposed to submit batch- wise testing reports from approved laboratories certifying that the medicines contains heavy metals within permissible limits.

Only after obtaining the certificate can manufacturers export these medicines to other countries. These tests reports were revealed in an RTI reply to Ramesh Verma an RTI activist. "Someone informed me about this rampant practice. I wanted to expose these manufactures so, I filed the RTI," said Verma.

"Drugs that attract the magic remedies acts are mostly the drugs that claim to increase masculine power. These are easily available in the market and are fooling people.

There should be a proper action against the concerned people," Dr P. N. Varma, former director, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, said.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

ayush in 11 th plan

Ayush Dept to modify scheme of developing Ayush institutions under 11th Plan
Suja Nair Shirodkar, Mumbai
Friday, May 27, 2011, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

Considering the experience gained from implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme for development of Ayush institutions in the past and inputs given by the independent evaluation, Union ministry of health has decided to modify the scheme under the 11th Plan.


The scheme of development of Ayush institutions has been under implementation since the 10th Plan.


The modifications will be in the form of financial assistance giving grants-in-aid which shall be admissible for infrastructural development of Ayush for under graduate (UG) upto Rs.2 crore and for post graduate (PG) institutions upto Rs.3 crore for the plan period to be released in two instalments.


The scheme also includes assistance for add-on PG, pharmacy, and para medical courses in existing Ayush institutions with funds upto Rs.3 crore for the a pan period to be released in two instalments. It also mentions about the development of model Ayush institutions and centre of advanced studies with investment of upto Rs.5 crore.


The pattern of assistance under the scheme would be for infrastructural development of Ayush for under graduate (UG) and post graduate (PG) institutions by providing 70 per cent grant for the construction of OPD, IPD, teaching, departments, library, laboratories and for girls’ and boys’ Hostel, etc. Whereas 30 percent of the grant will be for getting equipments, furnitures, library books, payment of stipend for PG institution etc.


According to sources, this scheme is designed mainly for development of a centre for advanced studies, training, research in particular specialties depending upon the detailed project report to be appraised by a committee comprising of the principal of the institution, a nominee of the Department and a nominee of the state directorate of ISM&H.


An interesting modification that has been included in this scheme is the one time assistance on 50:50 matching share basis for opening of new Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy institutions and Ayush Universities in States not having such institutions. For this, the centre has proposed to allot funds upto Rs.10 crore. It states, “Where the states contribution includes land or existing building, a certificate from the competent authority on valuation on land and building to be submitted along with the application.”


Most importantly this scheme will be completely a project based proposal to be appraised by a Committee comprising of state secretary or state director of ISM&H, concerned advisers from department and a renowned academician to be nominated by the Department. The revised expenditure under the above components could be borne by the States after the plan period.

source phamabiz

congratulate .........congratulate..........
The Govt.of India serve the Nation by excellent achievement to upgrading of the AYUSH, is a pure indian system of medicine
should be oblige the truth
avoid the nation from anti biotic and modern drugs which give us the mostly side effct

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Minister of state for health, Fauzia Khan said

Rural stint for medicos to continue

TNN

Posted On: Monday, May 23, 2011

Pune: State medical education minister Rajkumar Gavit rejected doctors’ demand to do away with the bond for a one-year rural stint that students opting for postgraduate and super-specialty medical courses have to sign, reiterating the government’s firm stand on the issue. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, however, said that various incentives could be given to attract doctors to work in rural areas.

They were speaking at the NCP doctor cell’s statewide conference at the Ganesh Kala Krida auditorium in the city on Sunday. “The government may think of relaxing the condition of signing a bond from undergraduate (MBBS) students for rendering mandatory services in rural areas after the degree. But it is firm that no such relaxation will be granted to postgraduate students and those opting for super-specialty courses. For them, the condition of signing a bond for mandatory medical services of one year in rural areas will remain,” Gavit said.

According to a government resolution, it is compulsory for students seeking admission to medical courses to sign the bond. Moreover, a student has to pay bond money if he/ she wants to skip the mandatory one-year rural stint. Commenting on improvements needed in medical services in the rural areas, Pawar said that extending various incentives in the form of tax relaxation, loans at low interest rates and special provisions in education for the children of doctors who have worked for 10 years, among others can be thought upon to attract doctors to work in rural areas. “A meeting should soon be called to chalk out effective measures to improve healthcare services in rural areas,” Pawar said.

Replying to a plea by doctors to look into the protection of practising doctors, Pawar said, “The act to protect doctors from any kind of intimidation and violence has been formulated. Now it is the responsibility of the state home ministry to ensure its effective implementation.”

Pawar also spoke about reviving the concept of family doctors. “The need for family physicians is highly felt. We do require specialist and super-specialty doctors. But a family doctor, who identifies with the problems of a family, understands its family members and their interpersonal relationships, is extremely crucial in the current healthcare scenario.”

Minister of state for health, Fauzia Khan said, “Massive efforts are being taken to improve the health infrastructure in rural areas. The medical professionals from other branches of medicine, like unani, homeopathy and ayurveda, will also be absorbed into services at primary health centres and rural hospitals.”
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Rural stint for medicos to continue

State medical education minister Rajkumar Gavit rejected doctors’ demand to do away with the bond for a one-year rural stint that students opting for postgraduate and super-specialty medical courses have to sign, reiterating the government’s firm stand on the issue

AYUSH in ASSAM

Boost for wellness with govt seal
- Assam unveils AYUSH body to increase effectiveness in medical treatment
WASIM RAHMAN

Jorhat, May 25: There was a time when India earned renown for alternative routes for curing diseases. Yogis and ayurved practitioners had an enviable following, as “return to Nature” was the mantra that gained popularity.

Taking a leaf from that wellness mode, the Assam government has sanctioned the establishment of a new separate directorate for AYUSH (Ayurvedic, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy).

Commissioner and secretary of the health and family welfare department J.C Goswami, in a notification issued in the name of Governor J.B. Patnaik, said the new directorate was being set up to accord special attention to medical education, planning, training and research for the branches of medicine falling under AYUSH.

The notification said all the three government homoeopathy colleges and hospitals and the only government ayurved college in the state would come under the administrative control of the new directorate. The homeopathic colleges and hospitals are in Jorhat, Nagaon and Guwahati, while the ayurvedic one is in Guwahati.

There will be a separate wing of AYUSH in all the civil hospitals of the districts and subdivisions, upto the sub-centre level.

It also said the directorate would be set up to increase effectiveness in government and private health service delivery, production and monitoring quality of drugs and implementation of government policies regarding alternative systems of medicines.

The notification said the new directorate would look after the infrastructure and manpower planning and execution with regard to building, personnel, equipment and supplies of the institutions and offices it will govern. The directorate will also deal with all issues related to governance and workforce management (promotions and transfers of non-gazetted employees) of the AYUSH sector.

It said the directorate will promote indigenous, traditional and community medicine research in the state and co-ordinate with various councils of alternative medicines under the AYUSH sector.

The notification included a letter by the deputy secretary of the health and family welfare department, C. Barua, to the accountant general of Assam, which said the government had given the financial approval to create 23 posts to run the new directorate.

The list of new posts includes one director, one joint director, two deputy directors, one financial and accounts officer, one superintendent, two upper division clerks, one accountant, one cashier, four lower division clerks, one stenographer, three typist-cum-computer operators, one chowkidar and four peons-cum-chowkidars.

Official sources said the government had taken the decision to accord priority to the AYUSH sector with a rise in the popularity of medicines of non-allopathic drugs.

The Centre had established a department of Indian system of medicine and homoeopathy in March 1995 and renamed it AYUSH in November 2003, under the Union health and family welfare ministry.

The aim was to provide special attention to the development of research in the fields of AYUSH and upgrade the educational standards, quality control and standardisation of drugs, improve the availability of medicinal plant materials and create awareness about AYUSH systems, domestically and globally.

Monday, May 23, 2011

ayush doctor and surgery

Topic: AYUSH Doctors can conduct surgery: Madras HC
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Forum Home > general practioners concerns > AYUSH Doctors can conduct surgery: Madras HC

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has said registered practitioners in siddha, ayurveda, homeopathy and unani are eligible to practise surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthesiology, ENT, ophthalmology, etc.

Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla, passing orders on a contempt of court petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Graduates Association, also said penal action against such practitioners who dabbled in allopathy should be "dropped forthwith."

The ruling runs contrary to a recent order delivered by another judge on a petition filed by two unani practitioners who sought similar relief. In February this year, Justice K K Sasidharan had held that practitioners of Indian system of medicines should not practise allopathy, and that there was nothing wrong if police take action against those who attempt to practice allopathy without valid qualification.

While passing orders on Thursday, Justice Kalifulla took note of a June 29 circular of the government, which, citing section 17(3)B of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, said institutionally qualified practitioners of siddha, ayurveda, unani and homeopathy are eligible to practise the respective system with modern scientific medicine "including surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthesiology, ENT, etc. based on the training and teaching."

The government's latest stand on the issue smacks of ambiguity while dealing with alternative systems of medicine which it seeks to promote even while claiming to check illegal practitioners. The recent crackdown had seen several traditional practioners being booked for prescribing allopathic drugs.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Ayush plans

Dept of Ayush plans more chairs in foreign universities for education, ties with SAARC countries
Joseph Alexander, New Delhi
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

Ayush Department is taking efforts to position India as a leader in Ayush education across the globe, especially in the SAARC countries, by forging links with the academic bodies and setting up chairs in the foreign universities. The Department also has chalked out a number of steps to strengthen the national institutes under it.

The Department of Ayush has decided to take the help of the Indian Missions abroad to further promote the Ayush education of the country. The national institutes under the Department have been asked to work out possible collaborations with the institutes abroad, under the guidance of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Missions would also be consulted to set up chairs in foreign universities and finalise the same on case to case basis depending on the merit and benefits. The MoUs under the ICCR Guidelines would be signed for setting up chairs and reciprocal recognition of foreign degrees in Ayush streams between India and SAARC countries.

The Director General of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines has been entrusted the task of preparing standard MoUs and take lead role to coordinate the work on reciprocal recognition of Ayush streams with SAARC countries. Director, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai has been asked to explore the possibility of exchange programmes in Ayush education with Government of Sri Lanka.

Director of Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda will prepare an action plan on how the Research Councils and Institutes could work together to achieve the national objectives of better health care.

As part of the new initiatives, the national institutes had been asked to improve the quality of education to position themselves as the premier institutes in the country for the systems concerned. They should also move towards developing the hospitals attached to the Institutes, as Referral Hospitals in the concerned speciality.

Monday, May 16, 2011

National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) & Ayush

National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) Survey for Department of
AYUSH
Database/Statistics is an essential base for good and effective Planning.
However, Department of AYUSH as yet had no benchmark Statistics available
either from census or adequate sample size based enquiry. Therefore, National
Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) was persuaded vigorously to undertake the
Survey for AYUSH.
NSSO has now for the first time included some questions in their Consumer
Expenditure Schedule for the 68th annual round on Socio-economic Surveys for
collecting information for Department of AYUSH. The NSSO will collect
information from about one lakh households nationwide both in rural and urban
areas. The survey will commence from July 2011 and will be conducted in 4 subrounds
upto June 2012.
The survey results are expected to become available in 2013. The survey
result will give authenticated base level assessment from the households/population
about the usage and acceptability of AYUSH systems in the country. Department of
AYUSH will use the survey results for better future planning and road map for
AYUSH.
Sample of the questionnaire is attached.
………..
Annexure-1
Revised Block 13, Sch.1.0
[13] information on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy
(AYUSH)
1. Whether any member of the household used ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani,
siddha , homoeopathy (AYUSH) system in last 30 days at all (yes-1 no-2)
2. If no in item 1, give the most important reason (code)
3. If yes in item 1, give most important reason for using AYUSH (code)
4. If yes in item 1, what system(s) of medicines used
System(s) of
medicines used
4.1 Indian system of medicine (desi dawai - ayurveda, unani or
siddha)
(yes -1, no -2)
4.2 Homoeopathy (yes -1, no -2)
4.3 Yoga & Naturopathy (yes - 1, no -2)
5. If yes in item 4.1, from where did you usually get Indian system of medicines? (code)
6. If yes in item 4.2, from where did you usually get Homeopathic medicines? (code)
if yes
in
item 1
7. How often do you visit AYUSH Hospital/ Dispensary/ AYUSH health
centre/ Primary Health Centre (PHC)/ Community Health Centre (CHC) for
AYUSH treatment? (code)
if response
in item 7 is
‘1’, ‘2’ or
‘3’, then
8. How often during your visits did you find Doctors/ Vaidya/
Hakim/ Siddh Vaidya/ Homoeopaths / Yoga Trainers
available in the AYUSH Hospital/Dispensary/Centres? (code)
9. What is your assessment about
the AYUSH medicines from the
hospital/Dispensary/PHC/
CHC?
9.1 on availability (code)
9.2 on effectiveness
(code)
10. If yes in item 1, who advised you to take
10.
1
Indian system of medicine (desi dawai - ayurveda, unani or siddha) (if entry=1 in
item 4.1)
10.
2
Homoeopathy (if entry=1 in item 4.2)
10.
3
Yoga & Naturopathy (if entry=1 in item 4.3)
CODES FOR BLOCK 13
item 2: most important reason for not using AYUSH: Need did not arise -1,
Not aware about any system under AYUSH -2,
Medicines/treatments are not effective -3,
Hospital/dispensary/PHCs/CHCs are not available -4, Doctors/
Vaidya/ Hakim/ Siddh Vaidya/ Homoeopaths are not available -5,
Medicines are not available -6, Any other reason -9.
item 3: most important reason for using AYUSH system: AYUSH medicines
are effective -1, Side effects are negligible -2 , AYUSH medicines
are inexpensive -3, Well-known to local people, family members
and friends etc. -4, Others -9.
item 5: sources of getting Indian system of medicines: Home-made: from
home produce, free collection, etc. -1, Home-made: from
purchased ingredients -2, Government Hospital/ Dispensary/
PHCs/ CHCs -3, Private hospital/Dispensary/Private
practitioners (Doctors/ Vaidya/ Hakim/ Siddh Vaidya) -4, Local
shops/ Medical stores/ Other sellers -5.
item 6: sources of getting Homeopathic medicines: Government
hospital/dispensary/ PHCs/CHCs -1, Private
hospital/Dispensary/Private practitioners (Doctors/
Homoeopaths) -2, Local shops/ Medical stores -3, Others -9.
item 7: once -1, 2-3 times -2, > 3 times -3, nil -4
item 8: on every occasion -1, on the majority of occasions -2, on a few
occasions (not the majority) -3, never -4.
item 9.1: availability code: on every occasion -1, on the majority of occasions
-2, on a few occasions (not the majority) -3, never -4.
item 9.2: effectiveness code: on every occasion -1, on the majority of
occasions -2, on a few occasions (not the majority) -3, never -4.
item 10.1/10.2/10.3: who advised you to take AYUSH medicines: on your
own -1, Family members & relatives -2, Friends & neighbours -3,
Private practitioners (Doctor/ Vaidya/ Hakim/ Homoeopath) -4,
Doctors/ practitioners of Government hospital/ dispensary -5,
Media (TV, radio, hoardings, newspapers & magazines) -6.
Department of AYUSH
(P&E Cell)
…..
Subject: - Press Conference of Secy. (AYUSH) on 10.5.2011-reg.
Database/Statistics is a key for good and effective Planning. However,
Department of AYUSH was having no benchmark Statistics available either from
census or adequate sample size based enquiry. Therefore, NSSO was persuaded
vigorously to undertake the Survey for AYUSH.
2. National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) has included some questions
in their Consumer Expenditure Schedule for the 68th annual round on Socioeconomic
Surveys for collecting information for the first time for Department of
AYUSH. The NSSO will collect information from about one lakh households
nationwide both in rural and urban areas. The survey will commence from July
2011 and will be conducted in 4 sub-rounds upto June 2012.
3. The survey results are expected to become available in 2013. The survey
result will give authenticated base direct assessment from the
households/population about the usage and acceptability of AYUSH systems in the
country. Department of AYUSH will use the survey results for better future
planning and road map for AYUSH.
………..
Annexure-1
Revised Block 13, Sch.1.0
[13] information on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
1. Whether any member of the household used ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha , homoeopathy
(AYUSH) system in last 30 days at all (yes-1 no-2)
2. If no in item 1, give the most important reason (code)
3. If yes in item 1, give most important reason for using AYUSH (code)
4. If yes in item 1, what system(s) of medicines used
System(s) of
medicines used
4.1 Indian system of medicine (desi dawai - ayurveda, unani or siddha)
(yes -1, no -2)
4.2 Homoeopathy (yes -1, no -2)
4.3 Yoga & Naturopathy (yes - 1, no -2)
5. If yes in item 4.1, from where did you usually get Indian system of medicines? (code)
6. If yes in item 4.2, from where did you usually get Homeopathic medicines? (code)
if yes in
item 1
7. How often do you visit AYUSH Hospital/ Dispensary/ AYUSH health centre/ Primary
Health Centre (PHC)/ Community Health Centre (CHC) for AYUSH treatment? (code)
if response
in item 7 is
‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’,
then
8. How often during your visits did you find Doctors/ Vaidya/ Hakim/ Siddh
Vaidya/ Homoeopaths / Yoga Trainers available in the AYUSH
Hospital/Dispensary/Centres? (code)
9. What is your assessment about the
AYUSH medicines from the
hospital/Dispensary/PHC/ CHC?
9.1 on availability (code)
9.2 on effectiveness (code)
10. If yes in item 1, who advised you to take
10.1 Indian system of medicine (desi dawai - ayurveda, unani or siddha) (if entry=1 in item 4.1)
10.2 Homoeopathy (if entry=1 in item 4.2)
10.3 Yoga & Naturopathy (if entry=1 in item 4.3)
CODES FOR BLOCK 13
item 2: most important reason for not using AYUSH: Need did not arise -1, Not aware
about any system under AYUSH -2, Medicines/treatments are not effective -3,
Hospital/dispensary/PHCs/CHCs are not available -4, Doctors/ Vaidya/
Hakim/ Siddh Vaidya/ Homoeopaths are not available -5, Medicines are not
available -6, Any other reason -9.
item 3: most important reason for using AYUSH system: AYUSH medicines are effective -1,
Side effects are negligible -2 , AYUSH medicines are inexpensive -3, Wellknown
to local people, family members and friends etc. -4, Others -9.
item 5: sources of getting Indian system of medicines: Home-made: from home produce, free
collection, etc. -1, Home-made: from purchased ingredients -2, Government
Hospital/ Dispensary/ PHCs/ CHCs -3, Private hospital/Dispensary/Private
practitioners (Doctors/ Vaidya/ Hakim/ Siddh Vaidya) -4, Local shops/
Medical stores/ Other sellers -5.
item 6: sources of getting Homeopathic medicines: Government hospital/dispensary/
PHCs/CHCs -1, Private hospital/Dispensary/Private practitioners (Doctors/
Homoeopaths) -2, Local shops/ Medical stores -3, Others -9.
item 7: once -1, 2-3 times -2, > 3 times -3, nil -4
item 8: on every occasion -1, on the majority of occasions -2, on a few occasions (not the
majority) -3, never -4.
item 9.1: availability code: on every occasion -1, on the majority of occasions -2, on a few
occasions (not the majority) -3, never -4.
item 9.2: effectiveness code: on every occasion -1, on the majority of occasions -2, on a few
occasions (not the majority) -3, never -4.
item 10.1/10.2/10.3: who advised you to take AYUSH medicines: on your own -1, Family
members & relatives -2, Friends & neighbours -3, Private practitioners
(Doctor/ Vaidya/ Hakim/ Homoeopath) -4, Doctors/ practitioners of
Government hospital/ dispensary -5, Media (TV, radio, hoardings, newspapers
& magazines) -6.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Survey on AYUSH

Health » Medicine & Research
NEW DELHI, May 12, 2011
Survey on AYUSH
Special Correspondent
For the first time, the Union government will carry out a survey on the use and acceptability of the alternative systems of medicine and employ the results for effective planning of a road map for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) has agreed to include some questions, in its Consumer Expenditure Schedule for the 68th annual round of socio-economic surveys, for collecting information on AYUSH.

Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Department of AYUSH, under the Health Ministry, said statistics were an essential base for good and effective planning. “However, the Department has no benchmark statistics available, from either a census or an adequate sample size-based enquiry, and hence the NSSO was persuaded vigorously to undertake the survey.”

The NSSO will collect information from about one lakh households nationwide, in rural as well as urban areas. The survey will be conducted in four sub-rounds from July 2011 to June 2012. The results, expected to be available in 2013, “will give an authenticated base-level assessment from the household and population of the usage and acceptability of AYUSH systems,” Mr. Kumar said.

Keywords: alternative medicine, AYUSH

Thursday, May 12, 2011

ayush doctor bihar

HC directive delays appointment of Ayush docs
Nishant Sinha, May 11, 2011, 03.50am IST

PATNA: Appointments to fill up the 196 vacant posts of Ayush doctors under SC and ST categories in the state has got further delayed with the Patna High Court (HC) recently passing an interim order staying the appointment process till further directive.

An Ayush practitioner, Dr Jai Prakash Singh, had lodged a case in the HC alleging that the panel prepared by the state health department in 2010 for the appointment of 1,574 Ayush doctors in the state was full of discrepancies. The state government has been made a respondent in the case.

The state government had in 2008 placed advertisements to appoint 1,574 Ayush doctors primarily to make operational the additional primary health centres (APHCs) in the state. In 2010, on the basis of a written examination conducted by the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board, 1,378 Ayush doctors were appointed while 196 posts under SC and ST categories remained vacant. The health department sources said that appointments were not made against the remaining posts due to non-availability of candidates.
This ad zapped.

However, the Bihar Ayush Medical Association alleged largescale irregularities in the preparation of the panel as undeserving candidates were appointed. The term of the panel, which was to expire on December 31, 2010, was extended till March 31, 2011, and then again extended for the second time for a month. The panel was first released on February 16, 2010.

The state government`s move to streamline the APHCs across the state notwithstanding, the Bihar chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has taken exception to the appointment of Ayush doctors at APHCs where they have been authorized to prescribe allopathic medicines to patients. The IMA has contended that shortage of doctors has forced the government to appoint Ayush doctors while the only way out to reverse the situation is to appoint greater number of allopathic doctors or increase their retirement age.

The IMA also said that there was no provision for appointment of Ayush doctors at health sub-centres under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Earlier, the government had ordered an inquiry into the 'merit' of the panel prepared for the appointment of Ayush doctors.
source TOI.11/05/11