NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 17, 2011: India is not taking European Union’s ban on the sale of its over-the-counter ayurvedic and herbal drugs across Europe from May 1 lying down. A delegation of officials from India’s department of Ayush and commerce visited Brussels in January to persuade the EU to relax its decision by another 10 years.
According to EU’s Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD), companies making herbal products will have to provide clinical data to demonstrate its safety through use of those products within the EU for a minimum of 30 or 15 years within the EU, and 30 years outside the Union. A senior Ayush official told TOI, ‘We’ve asked EU to change the clause into 30 years of use anywhere in the world or country of origin. In this way, we can show how ayurveda and herbal products have been used in India for hundreds of years, and are both safe and efficacious.’
India has also urged EU to accept ayurveda, siddha, unani and homeopathy pharmacopoeia’s specifications and quality parameters. An official said, ‘Pharmacopoeias are official government publications. It is a comprehensive database on Indian plants in use for their health benefits, which is endorsed by the Union government. It should be recognized by EU.’
He added, ‘We have told the EU that Indian monographs should be reviewed as an authentic source of information for evidence when assessing applications. Good Manufacturing Practice certificates issued by India should be recognized by the EU.