‘Unadulterated rubbish’: Scientists on Ayush ministry’s COVID-19 trials
The ministry claims traditional medicines help in speedy recovery from COVID-19 and its prevention even as scientists question the clinical trials’ methodology.
Why read this story?
Editor's note: In May 2020, India initiated a “historic project” to combat COVID-19. Dr Harsh Vardhan, then union health minister, announced, “The Ayush and health ministry has started clinical trials of Ayush medicines. We’re trying to explore their potential as a prophylactic (disease prevention) and in treatment of COVID-19.” The result of the trials was predetermined. “Through this, we will prove the supremacy and superiority of ayurveda [in battling COVID-19] through modern scientific means.” This project, he added, had the “blessings” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ayush ministry has since conducted 139 trials across 159 centres in India. These include 70 in ayurveda, 19 in yoga and naturopathy, 8 in unani, 13 in siddha and 29 in homeopathy—the systems that constitute Ayush. The ministry sanctioned over Rs 46 crore for such trials, according to interviews with Ayush officials, RTI applications and publicly available documents. (Please refer to our clinical trial cost calculation at the end of this story.) The outcome of the trials was compiled in a dossier earlier this year. We spoke to three experts, including an ayurveda academic, to …
More in Chaos
You may also like
How Bewakoof, once a trendsetter, fell out of favour with young people
Indian youngsters are experimenting with newer D2C brands like never before. Bewakoof’s early success and its 2022 acquisition by retail giant Aditya Birla Fashion should have given it the edge, but the company has been left behind.
Why Nifty 50’s profit is the lowest since COVID-19 pandemic
The earnings of India’s oil refiners and other Nifty 50 companies have taken a hit. But IPO premiums suggest that investors seem unfazed.
Can India finally rein in misleading claims in advertisements?
The Supreme Court has mandated all advertisers to submit self-declarations certifying that their ads had no bogus claims. Easier said than implemented.
