NO MORE EASY LICENCES FOR AYURVEDIC MEDS
Discarding the process of easy grant of licences to the makers of traditional medicines, the government is planning to make their approval process more stringent. Apart from the already existing patent regime, a new central technical advisory commission will screen and clear applications for the proprietary drugs filed by ayurvedic, siddhi and unani drug makers, including Himalaya, Dabur, Patanjali, Zandu and Hamdard.
Sceptical about consuming ayurvedic and unani drugs? The government will soon come to your rescue.
Discarding the process of easy grant of licences to the makers of these medicines, the government is looking to make their approval process more stringent. Apart from the already existing patent regime, a new body will screen and clear applications for the proprietary drugs filed by ayurvedic, siddhi and unani drug makers, including Himalaya, Dabur, Patanjali, Zandu and Hamdard.
“We are in process of forming a central technical advisory commission (CTAC) to screen and approve new patents. A company will have to approach the commission first. It will then apply for licence to manufacture and sell from the concerned state licensing authority, or may apply for the grant of patents,” Ajit M Sharan, secretary, Ministry of Ayush (ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha and homeopath), told HT.
Companies currently apply for licences by submitting the papers on clinical trials and efficacy evidences to state licensing authorities. In case of innovation, they approach the patent office, but applying for patent is voluntary. According to estimates, more than 600 drugs come for licence approvals every year. The number is growing 25% year-on-year.
“It is easy for companies to just apply for state licences,” Sharan said. “The objective of introducing a new body is to pass drugs with unique discovery to boost innovation. We want to assure consumers about the quality and efficacy of ayurvedic and unani medicines. Companies should get ready for tough questions.”
“This will also help ensure that only serious applications are processed ,” said JLNS as try, head, research and development, ayurveda, Dabur India, which has filed 14 patent applications in the last four years.
The Ministry of Ayush plans to device steps for approvals of patent applications based on two segments — low risk and high-risk drugs. “The drugs that have higher metal and mineral ingredients would fall into the highrisk category,” Sharan added.
“Applying for patents is a cumbersome process. So, manufacturers prefer going to state authorities for licences,” said an official in the patent office.
After the entry of Patanjali, the market is gearing up for tough competition. While Hamdard plans to launch 10 new products across categories this year, Dabur is reviving its old ayurveda brand Ayush. Hindustan Unilever has also brought back its ayurveda brand, Lever Ayush.