Constitution of Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)

## Report on Constitution of Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of PCIMH **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of AYUSH regarding the constitution of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMH), Ghaziabad. This notification, issued on October 28, 2021, establishes the membership and tenure of the SAB, building upon a previous notification from March 23, 2021. The key finding is the detailed composition of the board, comprising both ex-officio members from relevant government bodies and non-official expert members from various fields within Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy, Pharmacognosy, Botany, Chemistry, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacy. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of the Ministry of AYUSH's notification concerning the constitution of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the PCIMH, based solely on the text of the provided notification. The analysis focuses on the structure, membership, and operational aspects of the newly constituted SAB. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This notification is issued "In continuation of Gazette Notification CGDLE23032021226036, PartII, Section3, Sub section i ExtraOrdinary dated 23rdMarch 2021". Thus, it's an amendment or continuation of an existing policy. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to establish a functional Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for the PCIMH, composed of experts in relevant fields, to provide guidance and advice on matters related to Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy. This can be inferred from the establishment of specific member positions and their associated expertise. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification likely serves to operationalize the previous notification (CGDLE23032021226036) by formally establishing the SAB with named individuals and defined roles. It addresses the need for expert guidance in the functioning of the PCIMH, potentially to ensure the quality, standardization, and scientific validation of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy practices and products. The amendment specifies the individuals who will hold the various positions within the SAB. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification focuses on the following key changes: * **Specification of Board Members:** The primary change is the constitution of the SAB with specific individuals holding designated roles. This includes: * Prof. M.C. Sharma as Chairman. * The Director of PCIMH as Ex-officio Member Secretary. * Other Ex-officio members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Drugs Controller General of India, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, and various research councils (Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy). * Nonofficial Members with expertise in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy, Pharmacognosy/Botany, Chemistry, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacy. Specific names are provided for each of these positions. * **Tenure:** The notification specifies that the tenure of the SAB shall be for three years from the date of notification or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The effect of these changes is to transition the SAB from a conceptual entity (established by the earlier notification) to an operational body with a defined structure and leadership. This provides clarity on who is responsible for providing scientific advice to the PCIMH. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this notification include: * **Members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB):** The appointed members, both ex-officio and non-official, are directly affected as they now hold specific responsibilities within the SAB. * **Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMH):** The PCIMH will directly benefit from the advice and guidance provided by the SAB. * **Ministry of AYUSH:** The ministry overseeing the PCIMH will have a structured advisory body to support its policy decisions. * **Manufacturers and Practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy medicines:** Ultimately, the quality standards and practices of these industries could be affected by the advice of the SAB, channeled through the PCIMH. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Ministry of AYUSH is the responsible agency for issuing the notification and overseeing the SAB. The PCIMH is the body that will receive the advice and guidance from the SAB. * **Timelines or procedures:** The notification specifies a tenure of three years for the SAB members. No other specific timelines or procedures are mentioned within this notification. * **Implementation of Changes:** The Director of PCIMH, acting as the Ex-officio Member Secretary, would likely be responsible for coordinating the activities of the newly formed SAB. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is to: * Strengthen the scientific basis for the development and standardization of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy practices and products. * Ensure expert guidance is available to the PCIMH on matters related to pharmacopoeia development and quality control. * Improve the credibility and acceptance of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy both domestically and internationally. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of AYUSH's notification concerning the constitution of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the PCIMH is a significant step towards strengthening the scientific foundation of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy. By establishing a board comprised of experts from various fields, the notification aims to provide the PCIMH with the necessary guidance to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy practices and products. This formalized structure is likely to enhance the credibility and standardization of these traditional medicine systems.

Key Entities Referenced