In order to increase the efficacy and role of herbal products in treating the prioritized diseases, the AYUSH ministry will fund research projects for the year 2019 in non-communicable disease (NCD) as a part of Extra Mural Research (EMR) scheme.

Background of EMR scheme

Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy offer a wide range of treatment options for various serious health issues. However, knowledge about the efficacy of herbal products is not wide spread especially on a global basis. AYUSH research council has been conducting research over last 40 years. Along with it many private institutions and universities have also contributed significantly to clinical research, ethno-botanical surveys, pharmacognostical and pharmacological studies on plants, and drugs standardization of simple and compound formulations used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani system of medicine. This research is not spread out globally; moreover, the public is equally concerned to know about the safety and efficacy of any new formulation or product. Hence, to overcome all such issues and encourage research and development in herbal products, AYUSH ministry along with the Government of India has introduced a scheme for Extra Mural Research to tap the potential of these organizations for the research needs of AYUSH sector. Under the scheme it will fund various research products in the field of Ayurveda and utilize the vast research infrastructure available within the country for standardization and validation of classical drugs.1

Under the EMR scheme all applicants can send their applications in prescribed format to the respective Research Councils of AYUSH in both hard and soft copies by July 20, 2019. The respective councils of AYUSH include Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)2 .

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

NCDs are categorized as diseases which are not passed from person to person and are typically of longer duration. The most common NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes. As per the reports published by WHO, NCD kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 61% of all deaths globally. NCD mostly affects the middle- and low-income countries. The high death rate due to NCD makes it very important to explore different ways of preventing the expansion of the disease. Hence, it is very important to find out different herbal remedies which can be effective in treating the disease effectively at a global level.

Conclusion

According to WHO, non-communicable diseases cause 61% of deaths in India; hence, it has become very important to take all preventive measures to prevent the progression of such diseases. EMR scheme introduced by AYUSH ministry has taken charge to fund the organizations and private institutions conducting research work in the field of NCD and promoting the safety of the herbal products globally.

Footnotes

1. http://www.ayush.gov.in/sites/default/files/EMR%20Scheme.PDF

2. http://ayush.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advertisement_0.pdf

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