The Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) Drug Licensing Authority for Karnataka has now been strengthened with the appointment of the Assistant Drug Controller to Ayush as the licensing authority.
With the now dedicated Ayush Drug Licensing Authority in the State, companies seeking licence to manufacture Ayush medicines will now be under a thorough scanner.
Earlier, the power to issue licence was with the principal of the Government Ayurvedic Medical College. He was also entrusted with the responsibility to inspect manufacturing units across the State. However, with the new notification, these powers were entrusted to the Assistant Drug Controller. Besides, he will be assisted by a team of five inspectors, one each in a jurisdiction to inspect Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy manufacturing units.
Speaking to Deccan Herald here, Vijay Kumar Gogi, director, department of Ayush explained that this would help strengthen the system further. “The posts of inspectors were lying vacant in the revenue department earlier. Now that there are five people on the job, not only can the inspections be done faster, they will also be more effective,” he said. One inspector each has been appointed for Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Belagavi and two in Bengaluru as per Section 33G (1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
“Earlier, it was the principal of the Government Ayurvedic Medical College who was given the responsibility of inspection and issuing licence besides his other duties. Now, the Assistant Drug Controller will be in charge of it,” he said.
The Drug Licensing Authority can issue licences to companies that have sought the same. The power to suspend or cancel the licence also lies with the Authority. Approval of the formula of a drug and inspecting the place of manufacture will also be made stringent.
According to a senior professional in the industry, the process of issuing licence took very long earlier as there was excessive work pressure on one person, who alone was in charge of the whole state.
However, filling the vacancies and the appointment of an Authority for the same could cut the time short, said the professional.
J S D Paani, president, Federation of Ayush Industry lauded the move and said the industry had sought the same from a long time now. “This move will help strengthen the system further. It will also help the industry flourish well,” he said. Presently, there are about 240 Ayush manufacturing units in Karnataka which produce drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore.
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