Health Department Brings AYUSH Medicines Under FSDA
Source: Press conference by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Key Highlights
AYUSH Medicines Under FSDA Purview
- AYUSH Systems Included: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
- Authority Involved: Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA).
- Structural Change: Drugs Control Department merged with FSDA.
Improved Drug Recall Mechanism
- Earlier Recall Time: Up to 30 days.
- Current Recall Time: 2 days for NSQ (Not of Standard Quality)
Statistics
- June 2025: ₹40.48 lakh worth of NSQ drugs recalled and seized.
- July 2025:
- 1,433 samples tested in labs (Bengaluru, Hubballi, Ballari).
- 67 substandard samples
- 29 legal cases filed.
- June 24 Special Drive:
- 279 inspections.
- 231 show-cause notices, 15 compliance notices.
Digital Initiatives
- Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS):
- Recognised Medical Institution (RMI) Certificates:
Food Safety Enforcement
- Street Food Inspections:
- 1,557 eateries inspected.
- 406 violations, ₹44,500 spot fines collected.
- Bus Stand Food Stall Checks:
- 889 stalls inspected at 186 locations.
- 206 stalls violated safety norms.
Gajapayana: Elephants Arrive in Mysuru for Dasara
Location: Veeranahosahalli near Nagarahole Tiger Reserve to Mysuru, Karnataka
What is Gajapayana?
- Definition: Traditional, symbolic march of elephants from forest camps to Mysuru for Dasara celebrations.
- Marks the beginning of the countdown to Mysuru Dasara, Karnataka’s grandest festival.
Lead Elephant: Abhimanyu
- Will carry the 750-kg golden howdah during the Vijayadashami procession
Dengue Vaccine Trials in Bengaluru
Vaccine Name: DengiAll
- Type: India’s first indigenous dengue vaccine.
- Form: Tetravalent, live attenuated vaccine (effective against all 4 dengue virus serotypes).
Trial Centres in Karnataka:
- Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI)
- JSS Medical College, Mysuru
To ensure vaccine works against all 4 dengue serotypes:
- DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4
Why This Matters ?
- Dengue Statistics (2024):
- Over 7 lakh lab-confirmed cases reported.
- Current Scenario:
- No licensed dengue vaccine or specific antiviral treatment available in India.
- Dengue is now a year-round threat especially in urban/semi-urban clusters.
Significance
- Reduces dependency on foreign vaccines.
- Crucial step in combating vector-borne diseases in India.
Strengthens India’s vaccine R&D ecosystem.
