At last, alternative drugs are reined in

Around 7,000 manufacturers of ayurveda, siddha and unani drugs countrywide will now have to comply with the good manufacturing practices in Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, like their counterparts in the pharmaceutical sector.

The department of Ayush, health ministry has issued a notification to this effect to all the state drug-licensing authorities of alternative forms of medicine to ensure compliance and revoke the licenses of non-complying manufacturers of these drugs.

GMP were made mandatory for pharmaceutical manufacturing units from July 1 this year.