Jaipur: The Union AYUSH Ministry has ordered an investigation into allegations of adulteration in an Ayurvedic diabetes medicine manufactured in West Bengal. The probe comes after Dr. Sailesh Lodha, a Jaipur-based endocrinologist and president of the Rajasthan Endocrinology Society (RES), expressed concerns about unexpected improvements in patients using the product.
Dr. Lodha became suspicious when several of his diabetic patients showed unusually rapid health improvements after consuming the Ayurvedic medicine. To investigate further, he had the powder contents analyzed at the government laboratory at IIT Jammu. The test results revealed that 1.7 grams of metformin, an allopathic anti-diabetes drug, was present in just 4 grams of the Ayurvedic formulation. The analysis also suggested the possible presence of Pioglitazone, another allopathic drug commonly used in treating diabetes.
Dr. Lodha shared his findings with the Times of India, recounting the case of a type 2 diabetes patient whose glucose levels drastically dropped after consuming the Ayurvedic medicine. The patient was unaware that he was taking a combination of Ayurvedic and allopathic drugs.
The Rajasthan Endocrinology Society (RES) raised formal concerns and urged the Ayush Ministry to take swift action to prevent the distribution of adulterated medicines in the name of Ayurveda. In response, the Joint Advisor (Ayurveda) of the ministry directed the West Bengal Directorate of ISM Drugs Control to investigate the matter, as it falls within their jurisdiction.
Experts Weigh In Dr. Sudipta Rath, head of the Dravyaguna Department at the National Institute of Ayurveda, emphasized that Ayurvedic medicines are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and any suspected adulteration should be reported to the drug controller of the Ayush Ministry. He urged people to have suspected adulterated medicines tested and to report issues to the drug testing lab in Ajmer.
Following the investigation, the National Institute of Ayurveda has warned the public against the misuse of Ayurvedic medicines, especially those purchased online or from unverified sources, due to potential adulteration risks. Experts recommend that Ayurvedic treatments should only be taken under qualified medical supervision to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and proper dosage.
