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Since 2018 Ministry of Ayush has conducted 1580 awareness programs to raise awareness about the safe practice of traditional medicine under the Pharmacovigilance Program for Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani, and Homoeopathy (ASSU & H) Drugs. In all, 1,21,272 beneficiaries were sensitized in these programs. 

This was revealed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of Ayush, during the two-day national seminar on ‘Fostering Patient Safety: Role of Diagnostic Practices in Ayush” organized by CARI-CCRAS (Central Ayurveda Research Institute – Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences) on Wednesday in the national capital. 

The central scheme of pharmacovigilance for ASSU & H drugs was implemented by the Ministry of Ayush in December 2017 to inculcate the culture of reporting suspected adverse drug reactions and for surveillance of misleading advertisements of ASSU & H drugs.

From January 2018 to July 2024, a total of 39,428 objectionable advertisements were identified. On Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR), as of July 2024, a total of 1972 reports have been received, the majority of them being mild and self-limiting in nature.

“Patient safety is a fundamental concern across all professional medical sciences, including traditional and modern systems. In India, where medical pluralism is deeply rooted, ensuring patient safety requires a multifaceted approach,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha. 

The Ministry of Ayush's initiatives in maintaining high standards of safety and efficacy have been essential in preserving the credibility of traditional medicine systems. 

“This includes a focus on enhancing research and education in Ayurveda, standardization and quality control in Ayush medicines, digital transformation to improve access to Ayush healthcare, international collaboration and promotion of Ayurveda globally,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.

The two-day national seminar was organized to explore the integrated wisdom of Ayush systems and modern sciences on diagnosis, treatment, and safety aspects to create awareness among the Ayush fraternity about Pharmacovigilance, thereby aligning with this year’s WHO theme of “improving diagnosis for patient safety.”

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