New drugs in Ayurveda can tackle cancer

As is known to all Ayurveda is an alternative system of medicine, however the Director-General of Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) says it is not so, in fact, it is other way round.

According to CCRAS DG Dr GS Lavekar, ayurvedic medicines are capable of tackling all chronic diseases and have the capacity of supporting side effects of chemotherapy as well. Besides, it also boasts of enhancing quality of life in cancer patients.

Adding more to the points he says that AYUSH-QOL 2-A, a drug for boosting quality of life (QOL) is under development. The drug will be developed in tandem with the Indian Council of Medical Research.

He says, "Some more drugs like AYUSH-C for cancer, AYUSH-Osto for osteoporosis and AYUSH-SL for filariasis are also under the process of development. As gastro-intestinal ailments also affect a large chunk of State population, NRIADD will also work on `standardized formulations with quality’ to address specific problems in future. Drugs on geriatric care and reproductive child health (RCH) are also listed priority."

Dr Lavekar said that Ayurveda is globally being recognized and more than 350 varsities in the US were imparting education on it in their curriculum.