Pharmacopeial and regulatory aspects of ethno med-icines and phytopharmaceuticals
- Vol.53(7), July
- Mumbai Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 2021
- 16-19p.
The pursuit of a healthy and long life is as old as humankind, which brings the interest towards various medical practices since ancient times in several parts of the world. In India, Ayurveda is one of the oldest sciences of life having its own healthcare practice. Though it has been used traditionally and has always had the trust of consumers, sufficient research has not been done to validate its products and practices. From the past decade, the growing interest towards the use of these medicines demands the need for their regulations. As a result, Government of India has included the traditional medicines rechristened as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy) under various acts like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Drugs and Magic Remedies Objectionable Advertisement Act and Indian Patents Act. Furthermore, India has several regulatory authorities and Pharmacopeial commissions that regulate the quality and safety of traditional medicines. This article focuses on the various regulatory aspects of ethnomedicine that must be considered during every step of drug development, manufacture and marketing. Phytopharmaceuticals and their regulations have also been included in this article.