Lok Sabha, India : The Indian Government have taken following steps to ensure the safety and quality of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines (ASU):

1. Mandatory testing for heavy metals has been introduced w.e.f. 01.01.2006 for herbal Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines (ASU) which are being exported. This has been done to meet the regulatory requirements of importing countries.
2. State Drug Licensing Authorities have been directed to ensure full compliance by all Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drug manufacturers with the provisions of Rule 161 (1) and (2) relating to displaying on the label of the container or in a leaflet to be inserted in the package of any Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs, a list of all the ingredients along with quantities used in the manufacture of the preparation.
3. Captain Shreeniwasmurti Drug Research Institute for Ayurveda, Chennai, Indian Institute of Toxicological Research, Lucknow and Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi have analyzed about 600 plants and it was found that lead arsenic and mercury levels were within the permissible limit.
4. Good Manufacturing Practices have been made mandatory for all Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drug (ASU) manufacturing units in the country through an amendment of Schedule T of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

This information was given by Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.