Jaipur doctor raises concern over Ayurvedic Diabetes Medicine, AYUSH Ministry orders Probe
Jaipur: The Union Ayush Ministry has directed authorities in West Bengal to investigate reports of adulteration in an Ayurvedic diabetes medicine manufactured in the state. The directive follows concerns raised by Dr Sailesh Lodha, a Jaipur-based endocrinologist and president of the Rajasthan Endocrinology Society (RES), who noticed unexpected improvements in patients using the medicine.
According to the Times of India, Dr Lodha suspected adulteration when several of his diabetic patients displayed unusually rapid improvement in health. To confirm his doubts, he arranged for an analysis of the powdered contents at the government laboratory at IIT Jammu. The test results revealed that 4 grams of the Ayurvedic formulation contained 1.7 grams of metformin, a widely used allopathic anti-diabetes drug. The analysis could not rule out the presence of Pioglitazone, another allopathic diabetes medication, further raising concerns about the composition of the apparent herbal medicine.
“I came across a patient who was under my care for type 2 diabetes. He informed me that his glucose readings were constantly going down and he was skeptical about this allopathic medicine that he was consuming. He then bought this Ayurvedic medicine online. There are many more persons known to this patient who are also consuming this Ayurvedic medicine," Dr Lodha told TOI.
The RES formally appealed to the Ayush Ministry, urging stricter measures to stop the distribution of impure medicines in the name of Ayurveda. In response, the ministry's Joint Advisor (Ayurveda) directed the West Bengal Directorate of ISM Drugs Control to examine the matter and take appropriate action, as the issue falls under their jurisdiction, reports the Daily.
Dr Sudipta Rath, head of the Dravyaguna Department at the National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur, emphasized that Ayurvedic medicines fall under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and any suspected adulteration must be reported to the drug controller at the Ayush Ministry. “If anyone suspects adulteration in ayurvedic medicines, they should get them tested. In Rajasthan, the drug testing lab is in Ajmer. Complaints should be made to the drug controller of Ayush ministry," Dr Rath said.
Following this revelation, the National Institute of Ayurveda has cautioned the public against the misuse of Ayurvedic medicines. Experts have stressed that these medicines are therapeutic and should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified physician. They highlighted that doctors can determine the correct formulation, dosage, and duration of treatment, ensuring safety and efficacy. The institute also warned against purchasing Ayurvedic medicines online or through unverified sources, as adulteration could lead to unintended side effects.
