Abstract

PHARMACOVIGILANCE IN AYUSH: ENSURING SAFETY IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

*Dr. Neetu Mehla

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Abstract

Herbal and traditional medicines constitute an important component of healthcare in many regions of the world, being seen as safe alternatives to standard drugs. This has raised concerns in ensuring the safety and efficacy of these products, stressing the utmost need for pharmacovigilance for herbal medicines. The last two decades saw widespread efforts worldwide aimed at developing strong regulatory systems, resulting in the development of phytovigilance systems. The indigenous Indian systems of medicine are Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH). The Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945 have provision for the regulatory mechanism and for oversight on the quality, safety and efficacy of AYUSH system medicines. For gathering, consolidating and evaluating the safety of AYUSH drugs, in 2007, the Government of India initiated a National Pharmacovigilance Programme for ASU (NPP-ASU) drugs. According to the program, roles and tasks of the National Pharmacovigilance Centre, Intermediary Pharmacovigilance Centres, and Periphery Pharmacovigilance Centres are established. The program has been established with the aid of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), and the World Health Organization, among others. This review gives a broad overview of the pharmacovigilance systems across different countries, with a focus on recent trends, ongoing challenges, and global views in the area.

Keywords: The indigenous Indian systems of medicine are Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH).