Is the Ayush Suraksha Portal a Robust Defense Against Misinformation?

Synopsis
The launch of the Ayush Suraksha Portal marks a pivotal advancement in the fight against misinformation in traditional medicine. This platform empowers citizens and professionals to actively safeguard the integrity of Ayush systems, ensuring that safe and credible products reach the public.
Key Takeaways
- Ayush Suraksha Portal launched to combat misinformation.
- Empowers citizens and professionals in safeguarding health.
- Centralized dashboard for reporting misleading ads.
- Integrates multiple regulatory authorities for coordinated action.
- Developed in accordance with the Supreme Court's directive.
New Delhi, May 30 (NationPress) In a pivotal move to enhance consumer protection and regulatory vigilance in traditional medicine, the Ministry of Ayush has rolled out the Ayush Suraksha Portal, acting as a vigilant guardian against misinformation.
Launched by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush at Ayush Bhawan in New Delhi, this initiative addresses the pressing concerns of misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions.
“The introduction of the Ayush Suraksha Portal empowers both citizens and professionals to actively participate in preserving the integrity of Ayush systems. This platform stands as a vigilant watchtower against deceptive ads, ensuring that only safe and reliable products are accessible to the public,” Jadhav stated.
The Ayush Suraksha Portal signifies a remarkable leap in pharmacovigilance and regulatory alignment within the Ayush framework.
It will assist the Ayush Ministry with a central and user-friendly dashboard of reported cases, facilitating real-time tracking, prompt regulatory action, and comprehensive data analysis.
Developed with technical support from the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and consistent with the National Pharmacovigilance Programme, the portal enables consumers, healthcare practitioners, and regulatory bodies to report and monitor misleading ads and adverse drug reactions through a streamlined digital process.
“By consolidating data from State Licensing Authorities, national pharmacovigilance centers, and key regulatory stakeholders, the portal ensures real-time surveillance, systematic evaluation, and coordinated responses to misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions. We have made it accessible to the public, allowing any citizen to report misleading ads or adverse drug reactions directly through the portal,” remarked Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.
The Ayush Suraksha Portal has been established in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive dated July 30, 2024, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 645/2022, which underscored the necessity for a centralized dashboard to monitor and publish data concerning misleading ads and adverse drug reactions.
The Court mandated the government to establish such a system to enable State Licensing Authorities to report complaints, share inter-state referrals, and update the status of actions taken.
The Ministry has achieved this directive well ahead of the Court’s deadline of June 2025.
The system also integrates multiple authorities, including the Ayush vertical under CDSCO, MoI&B, CCPA, NCISM, NCH, PCI, FSSAI, and State Licensing Authorities, ensuring a coordinated approach to response and enforcement.