The COVID-19 pandemic, especially the surge in cases over the past few weeks, has been described because the biggest public health challenge faced by the country during a century. During this era , the potential of Ayush systems of healthcare in addressing the physical and emotional health issues has been tapped into by individuals and medical practitioners alike on an outsized scale, and lots of remarkable outcomes are reported.
Repurposing of AYUSH- 64, the polyherbal Ayurvedic medicine, for treating of COVID-19 has been one among the foremost significant developments during this area. AYUSH- 64 was originally developed in 1980 for treatment of malaria, and it complies with all regulatory requirements and quality and pharmacopoeia standards. CCRAS recently concluded extensive robust clinical trials of the drug that specialize in the management of asymptomatic, mild to moderate COVID-19 together with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and lots of other research organizations and medical colleges across the country. The trials led by reputed scientists of the country showed AYUSH 64 has notable antiviral, immune-modulator and antipyretic properties. it's found to be useful within the treatment of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection. Consequently, the drug is now repurposed for COVID-19. This was announced by the Ministry during a news conference on 29th April 2021.
The Ministry has since taken steps to streamline the distribution of AYUSH 64 across the country and build up its production, in order that it becomes available to an outsized number of individuals during a short time. As a part of this effort, CCRAS and National Research and Development Centre (NDRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the larger production and commercialization of AYUSH 64 with mutual cooperation. The Ayush Ministry on 27 April 2021 has also issued advisory to all or any State Licensing Authorities of ASU medicines to repurpose AYUSH-64 as an intervention for the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 additionally to existing indications.
Emphasizing the necessity for ensuring the supply of AYUSH 64 across the country, the Ministry has encouraged more pharmaceutical companies to return forward and acquire a producing license for this medicine. Interested companies for the transfer of technology can approach CCRAS and therefore the NRDC. The CCRAS will provide technical support to the ASU drugs manufacturers within the manufacturing of AYUSH-64. Further, the State Licensing Authorities are expediting the method of the licensing/approval of such applications, provided the prescribed standards and relevant provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945, are fulfilled.
The State and UT administrations also are expected to contribute further to the present mobilization through the vehicle of the National Ayush Mission, under which a country-wide Ayush network is already in situ . The State Health Authorities are going to be promoting the utilization of AYUSH-64 as per National Clinical Management Protocol supported Ayurveda and Yoga interventions. (Source)
