The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9th November' 2014. Earlier it was known as the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) which was created in March 1995 and renamed as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003, with a view to provide focused attention for the development of Education and Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
Objectives: To upgrade the educational standards of Indian Systems of Medicines and Homoeopathy colleges in the country.
To strengthen existing research institutions and to ensure a time-bound research programme on identified diseases for which these systems have an effective treatment.
To draw up schemes for promotion, cultivation and regeneration of medicinal plants used in these systems.
To evolve Pharmacopoeial standards for Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy drugs.
India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity, has 15 agro-climatic zones. Out of the 17000-18000 species of flowering plants, more than 7000 are estimated to have medicinal usage in folk and documented systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy (AYUSH System of Medicine).
Medicinal plants are not only a major resource base for the traditional medicine & herbal industry but also provide livelihood and health security to a large segment of Indian population. About 1178 species of medicinal plants are estimated to be in trade of which 242 species have annual consumption levels in excess of 100 metric tons/year. The domestic demand of medicinal plants has been estimated 1,95,000 MT for the year of 2014-2015 and export demand of medicinal plants has been estimated 1,34,500 MT during 2014-2015. Total consumption of herbal raw drug in the country for the year 2014-15 has been estimated at 5,12,000 MT with corresponding trade value of ₹ 5,500 Crore. The major increase has been recorded in export value which has increased from ₹ 345.80 Crore in 2005-06 to ₹ 3211 Crore in 2014-15, registering a nine fold increase in during last decade.
National Medicinal Plants Board In order to promote medicinal plants sector, the Government of India has set up National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) on 24th November 2000. Currently the board is located in Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy), Government of India. The primary mandate of NMPB is to develop an appropriate mechanism for coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organizations in India and implements support policies/programs for overall (conservation, cultivation, trade and export) growth of medicinal plants sector both at the Central /State and International level.
Aims & Objectives of the Board In recent years cultivation of medicinal plants has started gaining momentum. However, still a significant part of our requirements continue to be met from wild sources. To meet increasing demand for medicinal plants, the NMBP focusses on in-situ & ex-situ conservation and augmenting local medicinal plants and aromatic species of medical significance. The NMPB also promote research & development, capacity building through trainings, raising awareness through promotional activities like creation of Home/School herbal gardens. NMPB also support programs for quality assurance and standardization through development of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACPs), development of monographs laying down standards of quality, safety and efficacy; development of agro-techniques and credible institution a mechanism for certification of quality of raw drugs, seeds and planting material. Overall, NMPB’s main objective is the development of medicinal plants sector through developing a strong coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organizations for implementation of policies / programs on medicinal plants.
NPPA is an organization of the Government of India which was established, inter alia, to fix/ revise the prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and to enforce prices and availability of the medicines in the country, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995.
The organization is also entrusted with the task of recovering amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the controlled drugs from the consumers.
It also monitors the prices of decontrolled drugs in order to keep them at reasonable levels.
Functions of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it.
to deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority;
to monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps;
to collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulations;
to undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals;
to recruit/ appoint the officers and other staff members of the Authority, as per rules and procedures laid down by the Government;
to render advice to the Central Government on changes/ revisions in the drug policy;
to render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India(BPPI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). BPPI was established in December, 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India. The Bureau has been registered as an independent society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 as a separate independent legal entity in April, 2010. BPPI follows the provisions of GFR, 2017 as amended from time to time, the CVC guidelines, and instructions from the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.
Key features of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / Charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacist/ individualentrepreneurs are eligible to apply for new Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
The applicants shall have to employ one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their proposed store.
Applications shall be submitted to BPPI either online or offline.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras can be located within Government hospital premises as well as Private hospital premises or anywhere outside.
In addition to medicines and surgical items supplied by BPPI, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras will be allowed to sell allied medical products commonly sold in chemist shops so as to improve the viability of running the Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra.
BPPI shall source the medicines both from Pharma PSUs as well as from Private companies. However, PSUs would have the first right to supply the products that they manufacture in their plants. BPPI shall ensure that private manufactures are only reputed organisations by incorporating strict terms and conditions in the tender specifications.
Tendering for medicines shall be only through e tendering. All the tendering process shall be completely transparent giving equal opportunity for all the participants.
BPPI shall establish a Central Ware House, C&F agents at different locations and Distributors in all the States/UTs.
On receipt of goods at their central ware house, BPPI shall draw samples and sent them to NABL accredited laboratories for inspection. Only after receipt of quality certification from the inspecting laboratories, goods shall be dispatched to C&F agents and Distributors.
BPPI shall plan and undertake suitable media activities so as to spread the message of generic medicines and to achieve the objectives of the PMBJP.
Financial support to applicants: An amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs shall be extended to NGOs/agencies/individuals establishing Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras in Government hospital premises where space is provided free of cost by Government to operating agency: Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer and peripherals, internet, etc. For the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras established anywhere else by private entrepreneurs / institutions / NGOs / Trusts / Charitable organizations which are linked with BPPI headquarters through internet shall be extended an incentive up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs. This will be given @ 15% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month up to a limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. In north easternStates, i.e. naxal affected areas and tribal areas, the rate of incentive will be 15% and subject to monthly ceiling of Rs. 15,000 and total limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
20% trade margin shall be included in MRPfor retailers and 10% for distributors.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras and Distributors will be allowed 2% of total sales or actual loss, whichever is lower, as compensation against expiry of medicines. Expired goods need not be returned to BPPI. Stocks expiring at the C&F level will entirely be the loss of BPPI.
Credit facility will be given to all Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras for 30 days against postdated cheques. Distributors will also get credit of 60 days againstpostdated cheques. C&F agencies will have to deposit a security amount depending upon the business.
BPPI shall arrange suitable training program for the entrepreneurs who do not have any experience in running medicine shops.
Institutions / Charitable organisations / NGOs who are procuring medicines for own consumption / free distribution to poor and needy will be allowed to procure medicines from BPPI CFA agents.
Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi medicines will be sold through “Mobile Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Vans” after all requisite approvals are obtained.
The Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ashok Gajpathi Raju has said that his Ministry is committed to provide a hassle-free and comfortable air travel experience to people. To do this, he said, it is necessary to recognize the pattern of problems that people face, and make suitable systemic improvements in our working. The Minister launched the AirSewa portal and mobile app in New Delhi today. AirSewa is an initiative of the Ministry to offer people a convenient and hassle-free air travel experience. It will be operated through an interactive web portal as well as through a mobile app for both android and iOS platforms. The portal will include a mechanism for grievance redressal, backoffice operations for grievance handling, flight status/schedule information, airport Information and FAQs.
Participating in a panel discussion on the occasion Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation said that flight delays, problem in refunds, long queues and lack of proper facilities at airports and complaints of lost baggage are the most common problems that air travellers are facing today. He stressed upon the need to respond to these problems in a systematic rather than an adhoc manner. He said that AirSewa was an attempt to provide such a systematic approach to redressing passenger grievances. Shri Sinha said that although it was a major challenge to get the various players who are a part of the civil aviation ecosystem on to a common platform, this has been achieved through AirSewa .
With the launch of AirSewa, passengers will be able to register their grievances through the mobile app or a web portal. The users will have the facility to upload voice or video along with an elaborate description of their issues. They will be given a unique reference number for each of their reported grievances which would also be communicated through an email as well as an SMS. The Users can track the status and response to these grievances through the mobile application as well as the web application based on the reference number provided. Once the grievance is closed the user has an option to provide his feedback and rate the overall experience and satisfaction.
Nodal officers have been selected for all stakeholder agencies who will address the grievance in a time bound manner. Each grievance shared will be directed to the responsible nodal agency for resolution based on the grievance category chosen by the complainant. The dashboard shall be divided into three categories consisting of grievances pending within time line, grievances pending beyond time line and closed grievances. Each grievance shall have a resolution time line defined for initial response as well as final resolution. Each communication made by the nodal officer will be send through an alert through email and SMS.
Users will have an option to check the flight status and schedule between any of airports. Flights can be searched on the basis of flight number or for all flights to a particular airport. Airport Information will display basic weather information and connecting flight details from the airport. Airport information will include basic details and contact information regarding airport services like wheel Chair, transport/parking, rest and relax, Wifi services etc.
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation today announced the Swachh Bharat World Toilet Day Contest for districts and States. As the Swachh Bharat Mission enters its fifth and final year, the purpose of the Contest is to encourage all districts in India to re-intensify the sanitation people's movement with a special focus on ODF Sustainability.
For 10 days in the run-up to the World Toilet Day, i.e. from 9th November to 19th November 2018, districts across the country will compete on a range of Swachhta activities to sustain and reinforce the behaviour change outcomes achieved by them so far.
As per the advisory issued by the Ministry, Top 10 District Collectors, along with the Top 3 State Mission Directors/State Secretary in-charge of Sanitation will be recognized and awarded by the Swachh Bharat Mission and will also win a chance to interact and share experience with Swachh Bharat brand ambassador, and Actor Shri Akshay Kumar. Ministry has called upon districts and States for high participation in the contest and for qualitative Swachhta activity by engaging with the community.
The Contest does not apply to the five States of, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.
Districts can apply for the Contest from the online portal sbm.gov.in/wtd2018. The application window will be open from World Toilet Day, i.e. November 19, 2018 to November 30, 2018.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under Department of Health Research is in the forefront of advanced research in virology and the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) is at par with leading scientific establishments across the world. ICMR-NIV, Pune has sequenced 5 Zika virus strains collected at different time points of the Jaipur outbreak. Advanced molecular studies of Zika virus strains, carried out through Next Generation Sequencing suggest that the known mutations linked to fetal microcephaly and high transmissibility of Zika virus in Aedes mosquitoes are not present in the current Zika virus strain that has affected Rajasthan.
However, the Government is maintaining high vigil of the possibility of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Zika virus as the strain may mutate in future or some other unknown/host factors may play a role in microcephaly /other birth defects.
The Health Ministry is reviewing the situation on a daily basis.Around 2000 samples were tested for Zika virus positivity, of which 159 positive cases have been confirmed. Adequate numbers of testing kits have been provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. The State Government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through NHM. Extensive surveillance and vector control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government.
Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.
In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January/February 2017 and second outbreak in July,2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamilnadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management.
The disease continues to be on disease surveillance radars of Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern vide WHO notification since 18th November, 2016.
The situation continues to be monitored regularly.
Ministry of AYUSH observes Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanawantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). This year Ayurveda Day is being observed on 5th November 2018. On this occasion, Ministry is organising a “National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda” in association with NITI Aayog on 4th & 5th November 2018 at Dr. Ambedkar International centre, Janapth, New Delhi, with the intention to encourage entrepreneurs and Ayurveda stakeholders towards businesses opportunities in the sector.
The Seminar is a subsequent step to the challenges taken by the Ministry to increase Ayurveda Market share three fold by the year 2022. The seminar is expected to develop awareness among stakeholders about the business opportunities, encouraging young entrepreneurs to use of modern technologies and modern innovations in business development in the sector and to highlight opportunities at global level. The experts in marketing, finance management, innovation, telemedicine, the policy makers, experts in start-up as well as experienced entrepreneurs in Ayurveda pharmaceuticals and hospital industry will guide and share their experiences with the participants. The deliberations in the seminar are expected to educate the young entrepreneurs about the various possibilities of business development in Ayurveda sector, how to use the technology and the ease of business being facilitated by the Government for promoting their business in the field of Ayurveda. Ministry of AYUSH look forward to actualise the words of Prime Minister that ‘Young entrepreneurs who are planning a start-up could find a lot of opportunities in holistic healthcare” / ‘We have seen the IT revolution in last 30 years. Now, time has come for health revolution under the aegis of Ayurveda.
Nearly 800 participants from across the country are expected to participate in the main function of 3rd Ayurveda day. “National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award” comprising of Citation, Trophy (Dhanwantari Statue) and Cash reward of Rupees five lakh shall be conferred on this day to eminent Vaidyas. The Ministry of AYUSH has selected three renowned Ayurveda experts namely Vaidya Shiv Kumar Mishra, Vaidya Madhav Singh Bhagel and Vaidya Itoozhi Bhavadasan Namboothiri for the prestigious National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award for the year 2018. The winners of the National level Ayurveda quiz conducted by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, will also be felicitated during function.
Another highlight observation of the 3rd Ayurveda Day would be the launch of the AYUSH-Health Management Information System (A-HMIS), a dedicated software application for Electronic Health Record (EHR) for the AYUSH systems of Healthcare. A-HIMS which is being launched across 15 AYUSH units in different parts of the country in the first phase on 5th November 2018 is expected to revolutionise the way Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy are practised in the country, by inducting modern IT-solutions into these systems.
Ministry of AYUSH has conducted various activities throughout the country as a part of Ayurveda Day celebrations. The Ayurveda half marathon was one of the main activities in 100 cities throughout the country through All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, Research Councils, Institute for Postgraduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (IPGTRA) Gujarat, and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) Jaipur. A spate of activities including Public Lectures, Exhibitions, Distribution of Medicinal plants, Patient-education drives and Social Media campaigns were also organised by the Central Council of Research in Ayurveda (CCRAS) through its units across the country.
All the State Governments, State AYUSH Directorates, all Ayurveda colleges/ teaching institutions, AYUSH/Health Universities, Associations of Ayurveda Practitioners, Ayurveda Drug Industries and all supporters/ well-wishers and stakeholders of Ayurveda in India and abroad are also observing 3rd Ayurveda Day on 5th November, 2018 by undertaking various activities like organizing Public lectures / Seminars / Exhibition / Radio Talks etc. on the theme “Ayurveda for Public health” as a part of Ayurveda Day celebration.