|
New SLA for Kerala Ayurveda dept likely to be appointed shortly, administration will be under state DC control
|
|
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
October 26 , 2017
|
|
|
The vacuum of the post of state licensing authority (SLA) in the
department of Ayurveda in Kerala, created due to the removal of Dr N
Vimala from the post on May 12 this year, is likely to be filled in by
the government in another one week’s time, sources from government
informed.
The Ayurveda industry in the state was facing
operational crisis because of lack of SLA for the last 6 months.
Government is now aggressively trying to solve the situation being faced
by the manufacturers of traditional medicines, sources added.
On
May 12 this year, government removed Dr. N Vimala from the post of
state licensing authority and in-charge deputy drugs controller for
Ayurveda. Charge of the administration of the Ayurveda drugs control
wing was given to the state drugs controller. Since the DC is not the
authority to issue licences for ayurvedic products, the process of
issuing licences halted from the day of removal of the SLA.
It is
now learnt that one of the senior most drug inspectors in the Ayurveda
department, Dr. Smart P John, is likely to be elevated to the post of
SLA. Administration of the department will continue to be under the
state drugs controller. Sources from the department said three drug
inspectors in the Ayurveda department are eligible to become SLAs as per
the norms of D&C Act.
To save the industry from crisis,
industry sources have approached the government several times with
requests for appointment of new SLA in the department. From the
government side, the department of Ayush is very much supportive to the
industry and it is vigorously making all attempts to appoint a new SLA.
According to sources from government, the process of appointing a new
licensing authority for Ayurveda is progressing and the announcement in
this regard will be made in one or two days. Government had earlier
given instruction to the drugs controller that no new license or renewal
of licence or product endorsement would be given to any applicant till a
new drugs controller was appointed.
Dr. D Ramanathan, general
secretary of Ayurveda Medicine Manufacturers’ Association of India
(AMMOI) said delay in appointing licensing authority has created
problems to the manufacturing sector and many of the units are on the
verge of closure. Besides, the situation will cause for shortage of
essential drugs in hospitals and pharmacies. He further said a member of
his organization had earlier approached the High Court for directing
the government to solve the crisis created due to the vacuum of an SLA
in the department of Ayurveda.
Kerala has over 600 Ayurveda drugs
manufacturing units and most of them are major suppliers of traditional
Ayurveda medicines throughout the country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|