Drugs & Cosmetics Act amendment on anvil to accommodate Sowa-Rigpa

The Central government is thinking seriously to modify the regulations delineated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with the primary aim to include Sowa-Rigpa class of medicines within the act. It is important to note there that once the act is amended, the class of medicines will receive legal recognition, and all the more, medicines will come to be formulated under the pattern similar to other Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs.

However, at present, the health ministry is considering the passing of Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill 2010 as most significant, as the bill will ensure legal status to the Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine, which is popularly practiced in the Himalayan regions. Of late, the bill was presented in the Rajya Sabha in May 2010, and is now under the consideration of Parliamentary Committee which is working in close coordination with health ministry.

It is known that only few pharmaceutical companies in India are manufacturing drugs under the Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine. However, after passing of the bill and receiving the legal status, it is expected that many big pharmaceutical companies will try to grab the opportunity for production of drugs and earn profits. In such a condition, performing rigorous quality checks will be a big hurdle, and for this reason, centre is thoughtfully considering to make the necessary amendments in Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

In addition, center will also take stringent measures to check the formulations and labeling procedures of the drugs manufactured under Sowa-Rigpa system in order to generate good export potential.