There is a strong case for the scientific validation of products of traditional systems of medicine, given that there is a proliferation of ‘ >pseudo-Ayurvedic ’ and other herbal medicines in the market claiming to promote good health and other benefits (Editorial, May 4). Helpless patients, who are dissatisfied with allopathy, fall in this trap and waste hoards of money and time. Infertility is the favourite target area. All this happens because there is a complete lack of credible and accurate information about these medicines — how they work, their potency and side effects. In setting this right, the Ministry of AYUSH should take the lead.
Amritpal Singh,
Amritsar
The validation of drugs is a colossal task which requires highly trained manpower and sophisticated infrastructure. AYUSH may have been elevated to the level of a ministry, with a large number of laboratories across the country and manpower trained both in traditional and modern systems of medicine, but I gather that poor coordination and squabbles have come in the way of output despite taxpayer’s money being given to the organisation.
M. Saleemuddin,
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh It is painful that India has still to confront the ugly reality of female infanticide and the commerce and market for products that promote this social evil in an indirect way. For any form of acche din or for ‘Make in India’ to flourish, such regression must be tackled. The broader idea should be to educate and create an awareness among the weaker sections of the society as they are the ones who are more vulnerable to falling prey to these bizarre ideas. Also, the importance of a girl child should permeate through all the sections of society.
Vidushi Uniyal,
Dehradun
Any ready-made formula of the Ayurvedic system of medicine cannot be patented since such an invention — in effect, traditional knowledge or duplication of known properties of traditionally known components — has been made non-patentable under Section 3(p) of the Patents Act, 1970. Substantial improvements in traditional medicines which meet the requirements prescribed for patentability in the Patents Act, 1970, can be granted patents. Section 6(i) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 requires an applicant to obtain the prior approval of the National Biodiversity Authority before applying for a patent for any invention based on biological resources obtained from India. The Patents Act also requires an applicant to obtain the necessary permission from the National Biodiversity Authority and submit the same to the office of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks before the grant of patent. Hence, ayurvedic medicines like “Putra Jeevak Beej”, if patentable, can be put through such a process.
K.M.K. Murthy,
Kochi
