''Fostering Patient Safety: Role of Diagnostic Practices in Ayush", organized by Central Ayurveda Research Institute

New Delhi: Future of Ayush lies in Global recognition and Mainstreaming with Integrative Medicine. 

The involvement of the professionals at IPVCs (Intermediary Pharmacovigilance Centers) and PPVCs (Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centers) is noteworthy to refer here who gave a shape to the existing program” Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of Ayush, stated during a National seminar organized by CARI-CCRAS, (Central Ayurveda Research Institute – Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences) Ministry of Ayush on “Fostering Patient Safety: Role of Diagnostic Practices in Ayush”.

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The two-day National Seminar on ‘Fostering Patient Safety: Role of Diagnostic Practices in Ayush” is being organised to explore the integrated wisdom of Ayush systems & modern sciences on the diagnosis, treatment and safety aspects.

This two-day National Seminar with the theme ‘Samyak Pariksha: Atur Suraksha’ intends to create awareness among the Ayush fraternity about Pharmacovigilance thereby adding value to achieve ‘Patient Safety" aligning with this years WHO theme i.e., “Improving diagnosis for patient safety.”

An MoU has also been signed between the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, CCRAS, Hyderabad and Shri Narayan Prasad Awasthi Government Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh for Preparation of E-books of selected Nighantu of Ayurveda.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha further added that 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. The Ministry of Ayush's initiatives in maintaining high standards of safety and efficacy are essential to safeguarding public health and preserving the credibility of traditional medicine systems.

This includes causality assessments to identify adverse effects, prompt investigations into suspect batches, halting further distribution to mitigate risks and ensuring accurate reporting. Ministry of Ayush has focused on enhancing research and education in Ayurveda, standardisation and quality control in Ayush medicines, digital transformation to improve access to Ayush healthcare, international collaboration and promotion of Ayurveda globally.

Considering the immense importance of Pharmacovigilance in Ayush Sector, Ministry of Ayush has implemented the Central Sector Scheme of Pharmacovigilance of Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani, and Homoeopathy (ASSU & H) Drugs in December 2017 for inculcating the culture of reporting suspected adverse drug reactions and for surveillance of misleading advertisements of ASSU & H drugs.

Since 2018 Ministry of Ayush has conducted 1580 Awareness Programs raising awareness about the safe practice of traditional medicine among over 121,272 beneficiaries.

Under the Pharmacovigilance Program for ASSU&H Drugs awareness programs Ministry of Ayush have conducted 1580 awareness programs since inception in 2018 to July 2024, wherein 1,21,272 beneficiaries have been sensitized.

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

The seminar was graced by the presence of esteemed Chief Guest, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. Other notable guests include Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM; Sh. Satyajit Paul, DDG, Ministry of Ayush; Prof. Dr. Rabinarayan Acharya ,DG CCRAS; BS Prasad, Director, Board of Ayurveda, NCISM; Prof. Bejon Mishra, Former Adviser, Government of Odisha, Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Delhi and Dr. Kousthubh Upadhyaya, Adviser, Ministry of Ayush.

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