Call for quality control in ayurveda

[ 10 Nov, 2006 1033hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]


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PUNE: Ayurveda exponents and manufacturers of ayurveda medicines have called for setting up of a formal governmental agency tasked with ensuring standardisation and quality control of ayurveda products . This view emerged during a ‘lok adalat’ held on Thursday on the sidelines of the second world ayurveda congress at the University of Pune.

The question of standardisation of ayurveda products have been in the limelight for quite some time due to various factors, including the controversy regarding use of metals and sale of fake products by unscrupulous elements.

Participants at the adalat expressed serious concern about the doubts in certain quarters regarding the quality of raw materials used in ayurveda.

Representatives of some big ayurveda companies were the most vehement regarding maintenance of consistency in quality of products. According to them, such a step would go a long way in removing misconceptions about ayurveda products.

According to ayurveda exponent P.Y. Khadiwale of Pune, quality of ingredients used by companies in Maharashtra is a special cause of concern as most of the items are purchased in Mumbai, which act as the central depot. "Besides being a humid place, which spoils the materials , there is also the problem of poor quality of packaging."

Prabhakar Sandu, chairman of Sandu Brothers , a Mumbai-based ayurveda company, said manufacturers have the responsibility of developing quality keeping the users in mind. "Instead of assuring only consistency in minimum possible quality, we have to vie for the maximum possible satisfaction of consumer expectation."