Project integrates allopathy, ayurveda for diabetics
Programme being implemented in 49 community health centres & 3 district hospitals
With an aim to benefit the patients suffering from non- communicable diseases like diabetes, the Modi government has launched a pilot project integrating allopathic and traditional medicines in its hospitals, setting aside doubts raised by allopathic doctors over efficacy of the alternative drugs.
The ministry has also roped in scientific institutes such as IIT- Bombay and All- India Institute of Medical Sciences for conducting research to counter allegations that ayurvedic medicines are not effective.
Jointly launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, an autonomous body of the ministry of Ayush and directorate general of health services ( DGHS), the allopathy- traditional medicine integration project is being implemented in 52 centres — 49 community health centres and three district hospitals in Bhilwara ( Rajasthan), Surendranagar ( Gujarat) and Gaya ( Bihar), according to ministry officials.
The government is not only batting for the integration of alternative traditional medicines, but also promoting research in the sector, Ayush minister Shripad Naik said in Parliament recently.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ( CSIR) has developed a formulation called BGR- 34, after standardisation and pre- clinical studies conducted jointly by its two labs — Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ( CIMAP) and National Botanical Research Institute ( NBRI). It is meant to be used by newly diagnosed diabetes patients for management of the disease, Mr Naik said.
Launched two years ago, BGR- 34, which is being marketed by the Delhibased AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, is an add- on or adjuvant to existing diabetes treatment helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels, in addition to improving the immune system, releasing antioxidants and checking free radicals.
According to Sanchit Sharma from AIMIL Pharma, “BGR- 34 is based on six main herbal plants which have been found to be very effective in controlling diabetes. In fact, even allopathic practitioners are prescribing it.”
The CCRAS has developed an anti- diabetic formulation namely Ayush- 82 and has issued licenses to several pharma companies for commercial sale through Delhi- based National Research Development Corporation.
“The licensing of technologies to companies is a source of revenue in terms of lump sum fee and royalty, which is shared between NRDC and CCRAS,” as per the memorandum of association signed with these companies, the minister said.
With over 50 million suffering with the lifestyle disease, India has the highest number of diabetic patients in the world. The number is expected to rise by 200 per cent in the next 10 years.
The Ayush ministry’s guidelines “Protocol for Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda,” includes a list of fruits and vegetables a diabetic patient should or should not eat. It also recommends an active lifestyle, physical exercise and yoga to prevent diabetes.