Ayurveda needs stronger evidence, safety monitoring for market adoption, says CCRAS

Bengaluru: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has called for stronger scientific evidence, safety monitoring and translation of research into market-ready technologies to improve the credibility and adoption of Ayurveda.

Speaking at the National Symposium on Pharmacovigilance in Ayurveda at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bengaluru, CCRAS Director General Dr Rabinarayan Acharya stressed the need for scientific validation of innovations and sustained efforts to strengthen pharmacovigilance in Ayurveda.

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The two-day symposium, held on Thursday and Friday, brought together researchers, physicians and experts to discuss safety and evidence-based Ayurvedic care, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Acharya traced the evolution of pharmacovigilance in Ayurveda from its introduction as a postgraduate lecture in 1996 to its growing role in monitoring adverse drug reactions and improving patient safety.

Dr Acharya said the principles of identifying and addressing adverse outcomes have long been embedded in Ayurveda. Referring to Basti Vyapad, described in the Charaka Samhita, he said these principles provide a basis for strengthening contemporary pharmacovigilance practices.

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The symposium, themed “Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases – Safe Care for Life”, was organised by CARI Bengaluru in collaboration with the National Pharmacovigilance Coordination Centre (NPvCC) at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.

The discussions assume significance as Ayurveda is increasingly being positioned alongside modern and other systems of healthcare, making evidence generation and safety monitoring critical to its wider adoption, particularly in NCD management.

CCRAS Deputy Director General Dr Narayanam Srikanth highlighted the council’s work in public health and traditional and integrative medicine, including collaborations with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in reproductive health, geriatric care and oncology.

He stressed the importance of preventing and reporting adverse drug reactions and strengthening safety-monitoring mechanisms for Ayurvedic medicines and therapies.

Srikanth also highlighted CCRAS initiatives and publications on safety aspects of Panchakarma and evidence generation for Ayurvedic interventions such as Punarnava Mandoora.

Acharya, earlier in his speech, acknowledged the contributions of Dr Bikash Medhi, professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, to research quality and Dr Bejon Kumar Mishra, founder of the Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India Foundation, to patient safety.

CARI Bengaluru in-charge director Dr T Maheshwar was also present.