Minister’s decision challenged

Ayurveda preparation ‘Sudarshana’ in state hospitals

The Sri Lanka Association of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (SLACPT) yesterday said that they found it difficult to agree with a statement issued by the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana, a professor of pharmacology himself, recommending the use of Ayurveda preparation Sudarshana in state hospitals.

The SLACPT has, in a media statement, said that although it had been tested on animals to show some physiochemical properties of the drug, there had been no data from human trials.

Therefore, such recommendations could only increase the sales of the drug with no proof of efficacy or safety, and encourage self-medication with possible harmful effects as well, the SLACPT has said.

Given below are excerpts of the SLACPT media statement:

“We appreciate the concern shown by the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals to find a remedy for the COVID-19 infection. This is especially relevant when no therapeutic agent, apart from dexamethasone in severely ill patients, has shown any significant beneficial effect in treating the disease as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”

“In this background it is natural that attention is paid to the possible use of alternative forms of medicine. However before a drug is recommended for such use, it is imperative that its efficacy and safety in humans are tested and confirmed. Such recommendation is possible only after properly conducted Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in humans by experts in the field according to the strict guidelines laid down by ICH-GCP, WHO and other regulatory authorities.”

” Our Association has done an in-depth survey of research literature looking for such credible trial evidence regarding the drug Sudarshana. Though there were few animal studies showing some physio-chemical properties of the drug, there were no data from human trials. Further, such recommendations can only increase the sales of the drug with no proof of efficacy or safety, and encourage self-medication with possible harmful effects as well.”

“It should also be noted that practitioners of allopathic medicine registered by the Sri

Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) are not supposed to prescribe other forms of medicine. We earnestly request the minister to reconsider his decision to recommend the use of this drug until proof of its efficacy and safety is available.”