MP Shri Niranjan Bishi asked a question in the Parliament on collaboration with Odisha-based universities for Ayush product development

.Delhi : During the Winter Session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Niranjan Bishi asked an unstarred question to the Ministry of Ayush regarding collaboration with Odisha-based universities and technical institutions for Ayush product development and herbal drug standardisation.Shri Bishi sought to know whether the Ministry intends to partner with Odisha-based institutions for developing Ayush products.In a written reply, the Minister of Ayush, Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav, informed that the Ministry is implementing the Central Sector Scheme Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) with a total financial allocation of ₹122 crore for five years. The major components of the scheme include:A. Strengthening and upgradation of Ayush pharmacies and drug testing laboratories.B. Pharmacovigilance of ASU&H drugs and monitoring of misleading advertisements.C. Strengthening Central and State regulatory frameworks, including technical human resource development and capacity-building programmes.D. Supporting development of standards and accreditation/certification of Ayush products and materials in collaboration with BIS, QCI and other scientific institutions and R&D centres.The Minister further stated that the Ministry of Ayush has not received any proposal from the Government of Odisha under this scheme. As per information from the State Government, no proposal for collaboration with Odisha-based universities or technical institutions for Ayush product development is currently under consideration.For Ayush drug standardisation in Odisha, one State Drug Testing Laboratory and Research Laboratory (Indian System of Medicine), Bhubaneswar, is functioning. Under Rule 160 A–J of the Drugs Rules, 1945, guidelines are provided for approval of Drug Testing Laboratories for testing ASU&H drugs.As of now, 34 State Drug Testing Laboratories across the country have been supported for capacity strengthening, and 108 laboratories are approved or licensed for quality testing of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani drugs and raw materials. Additionally, four private drug testing laboratories in Odisha are licensed under Rule 160E for testing raw materials and drugs.