Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains has always focused on traditional knowledge of medicine (2019) and the health sector (2020).

A recent Supreme Court ruling in the case of Bhagwati Medical Hall vs Central Drugs Standard Control Organization & Ors. has highlighted the difficult challenge faced by state governments in controlling the public health risk caused by alcoholic tinctures sold as homoeopathic remedies in India. Despite the Union Government’s efforts to address the issue, the strong influence of the homoeopathic industry has often led to legal battles that prevent real progress.

Today’s editorial discusses the difficult challenge state governments face in managing the health risks from alcoholic tinctures sold as homoeopathic medicines in India. This information can be useful for supporting your argument in GS Paper 1 and 2 answers.

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Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

Alcoholic tinctures sold as homoeopathic remedies in India pose a serious risk to public health.

What are the implications of the recent regulatory changes in homoeopathy?

• Regulatory Complexity and Taxation Issues: The regulatory architecture for homoeopathic alcoholic tinctures is highly complex, with overlapping jurisdictions between the Union and States.
  • Post-GST, alcohol for medicinal purposes is taxed at 18%, significantly lower than State taxes on alcoholic beverages, making homoeopathic tinctures a cheaper alternative for consumers.
  • States cannot regulate these tinctures without presidential assent, leading to a lack of quality control and public health oversight.
• Public Health Hazards: Homoeopathic tinctures containing 12% alcohol are often consumed as substitutes for alcoholic beverages, leading to alcohol-related illnesses such as alcoholic hepatitis.
  • For example: States like Gujarat and Bihar, where alcohol is prohibited, have reported deaths due to the consumption of spurious homoeopathic tinctures..
• Industry Lawfare and Regulatory Delays: The homoeopathic industry has consistently challenged regulations, such as Rule 106B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, through prolonged litigation.
  • The Union government’s decision to pursue litigation instead of laying Rule 106B before Parliament has further delayed regulatory enforcement.

How does the public perception of homoeopathy impact healthcare choices?

• Misleading Perception of Safety: Many consumers perceive homoeopathic remedies as safe and natural, unaware of the high alcohol content in tinctures.
  • This perception leads to the misuse of homoeopathic tinctures as substitutes for alcoholic beverages, especially in prohibition States like Bihar and Gujarat.
• Lack of Awareness: Poorly informed consumers may consume homoeopathic tinctures daily, believing they are curing ailments, while unknowingly risking alcohol-related diseases.
  • The absence of clear labelling and warnings exacerbates the problem, as consumers are not fully aware of the health risks associated with these products.
• Impact on Healthcare Choices: The availability of cheap, alcohol-based homoeopathic tinctures influences healthcare choices, particularly among low-income groups seeking affordable alternatives to conventional medicine.
  • This reliance on homoeopathy can delay or prevent access to evidence-based medical treatments, worsening health outcomes.

What role should evidence-based research play in validating homoeopathic practices? (Way forward)

• Need for Regulatory Reforms: Research should inform regulatory decisions, such as whether alcohol should be permitted in homoeopathic and ayurvedic products.
  • Countries like the U.S. and U.K. are considering cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages, highlighting the need for similar scrutiny of alcohol-based medicinal products in India.
• Public Health Policy: Evidence-based research can guide public health policies, ensuring that regulations prioritize consumer safety over industry interests.
  • Research should also address the misuse of homoeopathic tinctures as substitutes for alcoholic beverages, particularly in prohibition States.

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