New Delhi, January 4
Samples of medicines allegedly prepared by yoga guru Ramdev did test positive for animal and human contents, Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said today.
But the Centre directed Uttaranchal’s health authorities to investigate the allegations afresh as the medicine samples it tested at its laboratories were not lifted directly by the government, he told reporters here.
“CPI-M leader Brinda Karat, an MP, supplied those sample to us, which we got tested. Now we have asked Uttaranchal’s drug controllers to investigate the case,” the minister said after a health cooperation agreement with South Africa here.
The samples, which tested positive for animal and human traces, were examined at laboratories in Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata, he added.
Ramdev, however, had denied allegations by Karat that his medicines contained human bone powder and animal parts, saying he was open to any kind of inquiry into the contents of his ayurvedic medications.
Karat had accused the guru of using his TV popularity for selling “adulterated” drugs to his followers.
But Ramdev, who denied any wrongdoing, said he was open to any inquiry into the contents of his ayurvedic drugs.
“But there are several issues in it. We did not pick the samples. She supplied those samples to us and it was my duty to get them examined,” Ramadoss said.
The minister, who read out a brief about the test report on the drug samples supplied by Karat, said two of the herbal medicines were found to be containing high levels of calcium and phosphorous.
If found guilty by the Uttaranchal authorities of mislabelling his medicines as purely herbal, the swami could be charged under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, he said.
The minister also spoke about the government’s plans to set up a national health authority in two years’ time in order to streamline monitoring and licensing procedures for drug producers.
Health officials accompanying the minister said states had been told to be stringent in ensuring drug makers respect goods manufacturing practices fully.
— PTI
