‘Medicines for export should specify heavy metal content’

Following reports of heavy metal contamination in ayurvedic medicines, the government has issued a notification to test products for heavy m...

Following reports of heavy metal contamination in ayurvedic medicines, the government has issued a notification to test products for heavy metals. But this is for the medicines that are to be exported from India and is likely to extend to products sold in the country in the near future.

To be effective from January 1, 2006, all labels need to specify the heavy metal content. The checking for heavy metals has been made compulsory for all batches of medicines for export.

According to the notification by the Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), the aim is to have a better quality control of herbal medicines meant for export. The notification has been issued under the Drug and Cosmetic Act 1940.

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The decision followed negative reports in the international media about toxicity of ayurvedic medicines. A study published in Journal of American Medical Association had showed heavy metal contamination in about 80 per cent of samples tested.

Under it, testing for heavy metals in herbal medicines that is ayurveda, unani and siddha has become compulsory for every licensee. The container of the medicines, meant for export, must clearly display the label ‘‘heavy metals within permissible limits’’.

The permissible limits for arsenic, lead and cadmium has to follow the WHO norms for ‘‘quality control methods for medicinal plants and materials’’. In case of mercury, the permissible limit will be one ppm (part per million).

The manufacturers, who do not have in-house laboratory facilities, will have to get these tested by any approved drug testing laboratory, said an official release.

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Self-certification will be extended for medicines being sold in the country in due course.