Jammu: In the wake of a complaint received by the office of Drugs and Food Control Organization of J&K regarding an ayurvedic medicine, its sale has been put on hold in the UT till the verification of components used in it.
As per a letter by the office of Deputy Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organization, the available stock of ‘Batnashak Batika’ used for pain in joints has been put on hold till the report of analysis of samples is received.
The drug control authorities took action and lifted the samples of the medicine after social activist Sukesh Khajuria observed that the effect of the ayurvedic medicine was instant, which is contrary to the conventional understanding that these herbal medicines facilitate gradual healing and recovery.
“Pursuant to the communication by Sukesh Khajuria, where he requested for testing of ayurvedic propriety medicine ‘Batnashak Batika’. In this context a team of Drug Control Officers was constituted to investigate the matter,” the letter stated.
The team lifted the samples for analysis with respect to presence of steroids, as alleged by Khajuria. The samples were forwarded to the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM).
Khajuria said the ayurvedic medicine is increasingly being utilised for treatment of joint pains, particularly in patients who suffered from Chikungunya disease.
“Given the remarkable and expeditious healing attributed to this ayurvedic medicine, I harbour reservations regarding its composition,” Khajuria said.
Khajuria, in a letter to the drug controller, urged that the quality of drugs is beyond the understanding of common man. “It’s the responsibility of the department to ensure the availability of quality drugs to the public and the market is free from counterfeit, spurious and substandard drugs” he stated.
The social activist also shot off a letter to the Union Minister and other central and union territory officials pointing towards the dangers of sale of such drugs and medicines seeking chemical examinations of these medicines at the earliest.
