Report: Prakhar Shrivastava
New Delhi, Jan 03: CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat today accused Baba Ramdev of contaminating Ayurvedic medicines by adding animal parts and bones in it, thus “breaching the trust” reposed in him by his followers.
Producing a letter purportedly written by Union Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry, she said analysis reports of the samples prima facie reveal a violation of licensing and labelling provisions of the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act and demanded strict action against him.
"We came to know in June-July last year that herbal ayurvedic medicines prepared by Divya Yog Pharmacy, owned by Ramdev, contained animal material and human bones. We then handed over the medicine samples to Department of Ayush and now they have confirmed our apprehension," she told reporters here.
Meanwhile, Baba Ramdev has strongly opposed the accusation made on him by the CPI(M) leader.
Talking to mediapersons he said, “When power increases, opposition automatically begins.” Refuting the claims of Karat he said the accusation shows utter “immorality” on the part of the CPI(M) leader.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 gives clear guidelines regarding the labelling of Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicines. Section 161 of the 1940 Act suggests that the label on Ayurvedic medicines should specify what the medicine is prepared of. Besides, exact amount of its content should also be compulsorily mentioned. The guidelines, however, are not followed.
No where in the 1940 Act is it mentioned whether animal fat or bones can be added for preparation of Ayurvedic medicines or not. The books related to Ayurveda mention the use of animal bones and other body parts for the preparation of the medicines.
The current issue of the use of animal bones and fat in Ayurvedic medicines is not new. Last year, in Harvard University 140 Ayurvedic medicines were examined out of which 17 had heavy amount of lead, mercury and other elements, which may be harmful for human body. On the basis of the Harvard University report, nine Indian Ayurvedic companies were warned.
It would be difficult to stop the use of harmful things for the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines as it is impossible to know their contents.
The current issue, however, has brought Ayurvedic medicines under the scanner and raised issues related to the use of these medicines. The Indian Government has still to form a standard for Ayurvedic medicines, which does not exist at present.
