Source: PIB

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended

Context

Medical Assessment & Rating Board, Indian Systems of Medicine (MARB-ISM), National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) conducted a workshop for drafting Ayurveda Process Handbook.

MARB-ISM

The Medical Assessment & Rating Board is entrusted with the responsibility of determining the process of assessment of ASU institutions as per NCISM Act 2020. 

Section	Details
Introduction	The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Amendment) Bill, 2021 amends the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020. The 2020 Act replaced the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.   The 1970 Act set up the Central Council of Indian Medicine to regulate the education and practice of the Indian Medicine system (includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy).   The 2020 Act replaced the Council with a National Commission for regulating education and practice of the Indian medicine system.  Since, the setting up of the National Commission was taking time, the 1970 Act was not repealed immediately with passage of the 2020 Act. The National Commission was constituted on June 11, 2021 to supersede the Central Council and on the same date the 1970 Act was repealed.  The 2021 Bill specifies that all powers and functions of the Board of Governors (as under the 1970 Act) will be deemed to have been done under the 2020 Act and will continue to remain in force.
Vision and Mission of NCISM	Enhance access to quality and affordable Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa (AUS&SR) education.  Ensure the availability of skilled AUS&SR professionals nationwide.  Promote equitable, community-oriented healthcare, making AUS&SR services accessible for all citizens.  Encourage medical professionals to adopt and contribute to research.  Conduct periodic, transparent assessments of medical institutions.  Maintain a National AUS&SR medical register.  Enforce high ethical standards in AUS&SR medical services.  Establish an effective grievance redressal mechanism.

 Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine (AYUSH)

India is one of the countries that have developed services of traditional medicine through the official planning process of the health service system.

 Key Systems: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/siddha

 The Government of India has established a separate Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to cater to the needs of the traditional medicine.

 The Ministry of AYUSH was originally set up as a separate Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy (ISM&H) in 1995 with the mandate to formulate policies for development of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), their propagation and promotion within and outside the country.

 The Department of ISM&H was renamed as Department of AYUSH in 2003. In November, 2014, the Department of AYUSH was elevated as a separate full-fledged Ministry of AYUSH.

 National Policy on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy, 2002 and National Health Policy, 2017 envisages access to AYUSH remedies through co-location of AYUSH facilities in public health care facilities and establish a robust and effective quality control mechanism for AYUSH drugs. The Policy also recognizes the need to nurture AYUSH system of medicine, through development of infrastructural facilities of teaching institutions, improving quality control of drugs, capacity building of institutions and professionals.

 The matters related to education and practices are regulated through the regulators like Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), which are the statutory bodies established under the provisions of the legislations.

 Regulation of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathic (ASU&H) medicines in India is governed under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Rules thereunder. There is a separate chapter in the Act dedicated to regulatory provisions for ASU medicines, whereas the provisions for homeopathic medicines are almost the same as for allopathic drugs. Compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices is mandatory for obtaining a manufacturing license.

 Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy has been established as an umbrella organization for Pharmacopoeia committees in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. The Pharmacopoeia Commission is mandated for publication and revision of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy Pharmacopoeia, and Formularies of India.

 Read about traditional medicines: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/who-global-summit-on-traditional-medicine

Sources:

PIB

 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (250 words)