Alternative medicine human trials hit roadblock

Research bodies under AYUSH not giving permission

Human trials are important for the alternative medicine system to get acceptance in the international community and wider acceptance here at home. But researchers and scientists have reached a roadblock at the five autonomous research bodies under AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) which are not giving the required permission for human trials.

Angry researchers say they cannot submit only animal studies and yet find a wider acceptance for their methods of treatment.

Dr Arul Amuthan, an integrative medical expert and professor of pharmacology at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, explained, “The ministry of AYUSH has allocated funds for 2015-16 for research of alternative medicines. But the research institutes that are to take this up are not clearing the projects. The proposals are being rejected on flimsy grounds.”

Researchers and doctors in Sidha, Unani and Ayurveda, who are affiliated to different colleges and teaching hospitals, say that the government is pushing for alternative medicines, but there is no interest from within the alternative medical systems to put their work on a sound footing.

The five autonomous bodies under the ,ministry of Ayush are the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda (CCRA), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Central Council for Research in Unani (CCRU), Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN). They accept the proposals