New health policy to regulate homeopathic, ayurvedic, Unani practices: NA told.

ISLAMABAD, November 02, 2009 (Balochistan Times): The National Assembly on Monday was told that the new health policy would introduce laws to regulate homeopathic, ayurvedic and Unani medicines as well as institutes teaching these sciences, to avoid any hazards. Responding to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto told the House that regulation for homeopathic medicine is necessary as existing PMDC Ordinance of 1962 does not provide any such laws to have any checks on such practices. She said almost 130 homeopathic medical colleges are working across the country and also award certificates to their graduates, adding that no medical colleges is being run in the country without adopting proper procedures defined by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. To another question, she admitted that the country lacks any mechanism to check usage of ingredients threatening to human health; however, she assured that the new health policy would ensure methods to have strict check in this regard. Dr Bhutto said the ministry would review criteria of registration of medical colleges as there are some flaws in the existing ordinance and defaulting medical institution is proceeded against by the PMDC. In a written reply, the health minister told the House that the Council, through health ministry has received requests for inspection of five new private medical institutions whose cases are being processed. She said degree of Bachelor of Homeopathic and Medicine is awarded by three colleges and there is only one homeopathic college in government sector. Responding to a question, she said the prices of medicines were increased following the increase in dollar and euro rates as well as dramatic increase in prices of labour and raw material. She clarified that the government has not permitted sale of 4,000 medicines rather the process is yet underway and surveys for their approval is ye to be done.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)