Jaipur(Rajasthan): Days after the ministry of AYUSH asked yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved Ltd to refrain from advertising and publicising claims that it has found a cure for COVID-19, new facts are emerging about the research and clinical trials.
Dr. D.C Katoch, joint advisor in the Department of AYUSH Ministry, who is assigned with the responsibility of AYUSH Drug Control matters, said that the ministry doesn’t grant permission for clinical trials.
While speaking to ETV Bharat, D.C. Katoch said, "Permission for clinical trial lies with Clinical Trials Registry- India(CTRI), which is a body of ICMR . If CTRI has granted permission, one can go ahead with the clinical trials."
Asked about notification issued by the Central Government in this regard, he said, "Even the Government of India issued guidelines for the same where all the rules are mentioned."
Meanwhile, NIMS Chairman Dr BS Tomar backed the clinical trial of Patanjali's coronil trial and said that we had all required permissions for conducting trial on patients.
Letter sent by Ayush Ministry READ: Rajasthan NIMS Chairman explains how Coronil clinical trials undertaken
Tomar said, "Prior permission was taken from CTRI and I have papers to prove my point. The trial was conducted on 100 patients at NIMS, Jaipur and at least 65 patients were cured in three days and 100 per cent was cured in seven days. The drug was tested on those COVID-19 infected patients who had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic."
"Coronil was marketed as part of a corona kit, also comprising of an immunity booster nasal drop - Anu Tel and an ayurvedic remedy for cough, cold and fever - swasari. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev said that the kit has received the license as medicine and recommended its use for the cure as well as prevention of Covid-19," Tomar said.
"Coronil was developed by Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar in collaboration with National Institute of Medical Science (NIMS), Jaipur but all permissions and licenses were sourced by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd," he added.
Meanwhile, state health minister banned the sale of sale and said that decision will be taken after they get approval from ICMR.
