New Delhi: Scientists working in the field of Ayush, CCRAS Scientists Welfare Association (CSWA), on Tuesday challenged Indian Medical Association (IMA's) claim that Ayush medicine system is "unscientific."
Days after IMA criticised Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan's move to promote Ayush protocol, CSWA president Dr VK Shahi told ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview that Ayush medicine comes to the market after massive scientific research.
"Ayush system of medicines are based on time tested research studies. Many evidences show that Ayush system is contributing milestone efforts in fighting this pandemic Covid-19 situation across the country," said Dr Shahi.
He vehemently criticised IMA for raising questions on the Ayush protocol for Covid-19.
In fact, Dr Shahi and his organisation also dashed a letter to IMA and lodge complaint against such remarks.
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"It came to the notice of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Scientists Welfare Association where IMA had mentioned Ayush drugs as a "placebo". It is a rigorously condemnable statement as it hurts the age hard work of the research community in the field of Ayush all over the country," said Dr Shahi.
More than 300 scientists work at the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and are part of CCRAS Scientists Welfare Association (CSWA).
Dr Shahi said that there are 67 interventional trials registered in the clinical trial register of India. "Out of them 46 were based on Ayush system of medicines which is 68.70 percent, which proves that Ayush system of medicines are based on time tested research studies," Dr Shahi said.
Dr Shahi also raised questions on the efficacy of Hydroxy-chloroquine (HCQ). "Hydroxy-chloroquine and methylprednisolone was mentioned in the management of Covid-19 positive patients in the mild situation, this association in regard to your question on double blind control studies hereby seeking evidence on the effectiveness of Hydroxy-chloroquine and methylprednisolone in Covid-19," he said.
He said that current data does not support the use of hydroxy-chloroquine for prophylaxis or treatment of Covid-19.
Dr Shahi said that there is no published trial of prophylaxis.
"Two trials of Hydroxy-chloroquine treatment that are in the public domain, one non-peer-reviewed, are premature analysis of trial whose conduct in both cases diverged from the published skeleton protocols registered on clinical trial sites. Neither they nor three other negative trials that have since appeared, support review that hydroxy-chloroquine is eff3ctive in the management of even mild Covid-19 disease," Dr Shahi said.
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Dr Shahi said that the Ayush system of medicine-Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa, Rigpa and Homeopathy-has been doing commendable work in the field of research.
"Approximately 29 number of double blind randomised controlled trials are either completed or ongoing during the recent past on the disease of national importance," he said.
The CSWA, however, asked five questions to IMA that includes is there satisfactory evidence regarding the use of HCQ and methylprednisolone in treatment in Covid19.
The CSWA also said that IMA is ignorant about the Ayush system of medicines. "Are you (IMA) aware that Ayush system of medicines are holistic and use individualized treatment, due to which blinding is not possible always? Hence, it is not gold standard for Ayush system of medicines," it said.
