Mint Health Summit: India developing global standards for traditional medicines

livemint.com:

₹114 billion) in 2021. “We are in touch with department of revenue to get the right HSN code for traditional Indian medicines. Once that happens, our exports numbers would already show an increase and with other developments, the exports are set to rise manifolds in coming years," Kotecha said.

According to industry estimates, Ayush exports are already valued at over $6.5 billion, but there has been a problem with the generic HSN code categorization. As part of a global outreach plan, the Ministry of Ayush has signed MoUs with foreign partner nations. Currently, there are 24 country-to-country level MoUs, 46 institute-to-institute level (research) MoUs, and 15 academic chair-level MoUs.

Additionally, there are 39 Ayush Information Cells located in 34 countries. Kotecha said the government has stepped up efforts to expand the adoption of Ayush medicines through evidence-based studies. Under the National Ayush Mission, a total of 8,132 Ayush Health & Wellness Centers have been operationalized, catering to 8.42 crore beneficiaries in 2022.

Additionally, 137 units have been supported for the establishment of Integrated Ayush hospitals, and 113 Ayush Educational Institutions have been upgraded. The number of Ayush hospitals has increased to 315, while the number of Ayush dispensaries has risen to 5,023. Kotecha also said that ministry of Ayush is also collaborating with WHO for setting up the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.

“This is very significant because it first UN office established in any developing country. Before that, these offices were only in developed countries. Because of this coming to India, we are able to provide leadership to the world in the area of traditional medicines.