Parliament Question: Upgradation of State Drug Testing Laboratories under AOGUSY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1030 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th JULY 2026 Upgradation of State Drug Testing Laboratories under AOGUSY 1030. Shri Brijmohan Agrawal: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) the total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised for upgrading State Drug Testing Laboratories (DTLs) under the AYUSH Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) during 2025-26, State/UT-wise; (b) whether the Government has received any report regarding shortage of contractual staff in the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) and State Licensing Authorities resulting in delays in processing Form 25D application on the e-Aushadhi Portal WHO-CoPP certifications under Schedule-T, if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the specific shortfall of AYUSH Drug Inspectors and Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) infrastructure in Chhattisgarh and its detrimental impact on herbal Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and tribal Minor Forest Produce gatherers in the Aspirational Districts; and (d) the details of the corrective actions proposed including creation of a permanent central regulatory cadre, 100% central funding for Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) high-end equipment and decentralizing WHO-CoPP audits to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) zonal offices? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) During financial year 2025-26, 03 State Drug Testing Laboratories (DTLs) have been supported financially under the Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) scheme. The details of total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised for 1upgrading State DTLs under the AOGUSY scheme during 2025-26, State/UT-wise are attached at Annexure. (b) There is no such report available with the ministry regarding shortage of contractual staff in the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H). Further, as reported by State Licensing Authorities, there is no acute shortage of contractual staff. However, WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) to Ayush drugs is issued by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Further e-Aushadhi portal (www.e- aushadhi.gov.in) is being implemented by Ministry of Ayush for all Licensing related activities of Ayush drugs to improve transparency, reduce processing delays and facilitate real-time monitoring of applications and certifications. Respective State/UT Licensing Authorities can issue license to the manufacturers to manufacture for sale of Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy medicines through e-Aushadhi portal as per the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945. (c) As reported by the State Govt. of Chhattisgarh, there are 34 Ayush Drug Inspectors available in Chhattisgarh, while the State has one Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) in Raipur with the requisite testing facilities. There is no specific shortfall in manpower and DTL infrastructure. The Ministry of Ayush is regularly coordinating with the State Government and other concerned stakeholders to strengthen the regulatory and drug testing ecosystem in the State, including the Aspirational Districts. (d) Ministry of Ayush is implementing the central sector scheme namely, Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), which provides 100% grant-in-aid for upgrading and strengthening State/UT DTL including procurement and upgradation of high- end analytical equipment. An Ayush vertical has been established in Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to strengthen regulatory measures ensuring safety and quality of Ayush drugs. As per the existing guidelines, WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO- CoPP) to Ayush drugs is issued by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) after joint inspections of manufacturing units by Drug Inspectors posted in Ayush vertical along with drug inspectors of State/UTs and CDSCO for compliance with WHO Technical Report Series (TRS) guidelines for Herbal Medicines. 2Annexure The details of total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised for upgrading State DTLs under the AOGUSY during 2025-26, State/UT-wise are as follows- • Amount Allocated under GIA head of the AOGUSY (for upgrading DTLs and Pharmacies) during 2025-26 is Rs 17.50 Crore. • Amount of funds released and utilised for upgrading State DTLs is as mentioned below- (Amount in Rs) S. State Component Govt./P Partic Total Amount Amount Expendit No. vt./PSU ulars amount Released Released ure Sanctioned in in 2025- incurred previous 26 2025-26 years 1. Arunachal Strengthenin Govt. State 53,24,026 2023-24 17,99,813 17,99,813 Pradesh g and up- Govt. 17,99,813 gradation of DTL Ayush 2024-25 Pharmacies 17,24,400 and Drug Testing 2. Mizoram Govt. State 1,60,61,384 2021-22- 18,00,000 14,19,928 Laboratories Govt. 18,00,000 to achieve DTL higher 2023-24 standards 67,20,884 2024-25 57,40,500 3. Madhya Govt. State 75,83,262 - 75,83,262 - Pradesh Govt. DTL ***** 3