The essential drug list for Siddha medicines (EDL 2013) revised and
published by the department of Ayush as the guiding tool for procuring
and stocking medicines in Siddha hospitals and dispensaries has come in
for severe criticism by leading Siddha physicians and experts in Tamil
Nadu.Former assistant director of CCRAS, Vaidya S Usman Ali, who
is currently serving as the director of the Centre for Traditional
Medicines and Research (CTMR), a Chennai based NGO engaged in the
research and study of Siddha and other traditional medicines, criticized
the list, saying no in-depth study has been conducted to draft the new
list.The officials concerned have literally failed to elicit the
opinions of the stakeholders and experts before formulating the List
2013, he alleged. CTMR has identified 15 major defects in the essential
drug list for Siddha medicine published by department of Ayush in March
this year.While passing his comments on to the secretary of
Ayush, v/s Usman Ali has alleged that the revised EDL 2013 does not
cover all disease conditions for which people seek assistance through
Siddha system; whereas for certain conditions, too many drugs are
suggested. The letter of the Siddha expert says that the list lacks
clarity on indication, pack size and dose and mode of administration.The
department published the list in the Ayush website in the last week of
March 2013 and invited comments from all stakeholders and experts. Ayush
EDL was last formulated in the year 2000. For the public health
initiative programmes of CTMR, they are following the old EDL. But, when
a detailed study on the revised list was conducted, the experts and
researchers in the Centre found several imperfections.CTMR
declares that the use of the term ‘generic drug’ cannot be applied to
herbal, poly-herbal and herbo-mineral drugs of indigenous system of
medicine. In the disclaimer part of the list it is mentioned that while
preparing the list, focus was given to include only generic medicines
from pharmacopoeia, formulary, and authoritative texts. According to
Usman Ali, instead of essential medicines, special medicines of higher
prices are also indicated in the list whose purpose is to include cost
effective and safe drugs useful for multiple conditions. The pack size
suggested defies the seven day course mentioned in the preamble.According
to him, the list contains many herbo-minerals which have not been used
for decades in any governmental hospital in India. “Then how can they be
considered as safe drugs without proven records of earlier usage?,” he
asked. In the column, precaution/contra-indication, for many medicines
that contain mercury, arsenic and lead ‘nothing specific’ (NS) is
mentioned, while original texts provide restrictions for these
medicines, says director of CTMR.Another anomaly he points out
is that the list provides same indications for Muthu Parpam and
Muthuchippy Parpam (item 13, 14). Muthu Parpam costs Rs.681.50 for 10 gms and Muthuchippy Parpam costs only Rs.20.90
for the same quantity. While seeking explanation from the department,
he asks what is the use of listing both the medicines as essential.Coming
down heavily on the department officials, he said several medicines in
the list are not manufactured by government or by approved private
manufacturers, and the products are not available in the market. Use of
ingredients of certain drugs is banned under various Acts including Wild
Life Protection Act, but they are also included in the revised list. He
said it will create legal problems to manufacture these particular
medicines. Besides, no substitute is referred to these ingredients/
medicines in the new list.
Source:Pharmabiz
Source:Pharmabiz
No comments:
Post a Comment