Homoeopathy in 2011 @ India

indiaRegistered practitioners, hospitals and education
Number registered homoeopathy practitioners has gone up to 246,772 from 239,285 in 2008. In 2007 it was 217,860). Compounded annual growth rate for the period 1993-2010 is 2-5%. Homoeopathic doctors contribute approximately 31.4% of total AYUSH doctors. As far as Government Hospitals are concerned, homoeopathic hospitals contribute close to 7.5% of total number of AYUSH hospitals. In respect to number of beds, Homoeopathy constitutes 15.4%. Whereas ayurveda hospitals constitute around 75% and number of beds constitute 71.5%. Homoeopathic CGHS dispensaries are 35, more than any other AYUSH system. Homoeopathic dispensaries under national institutes and research councils are 30, more than any other AYUSH system. Gujarat (6.7%), Karnataka (8.8%), Kerala (13.3%), MP (8.3%), Maharashtra (18.8%) and West Bengal (5.0%) contribute 60.9% of the total homoeopathy hospitals by state governments in India.

It is interesting to know that India has got 2102 homoeopaths per crore population. This figure is much lower than other systems. But among the AYUSH systems, homoeopathy has got highest number of admission for under-graduation with 12371 capacity of candidates. Though the capacity is more, we all know that there are many seats unfilled every year. One can hope that the new measures taken by the department of AYUSH by sending direction to CCH to act on poor institutes will effect in this respect.

States with capacity more than 500 under-graduate candidates admission are Maharashtra – 3560, MP – 1755, Gujarat – 1525, Karnataka – 840, Bihar – 810, West Bengal – 693, Rajastan – 515, Tamil Nadu – 500. Academic experts’ concerns are not the seat capacity, but the quality of education.

Homoeopathic manufacturing units
Number of homoeopathic manufacturing units has drastically reduced to 398 from 571 in 2009, 637 in 2008 and 685 in 2007. The reason may the implementation of GMP, which is not affordable to small manufacturers. But the quality of medicines have improved. Out of 398 homoeopathic manufacturing units, 199 are GMP compliant units and 199 are non-GMP compliant units, exactly 50% each. I wonder how there are still 50% non-GMP complied units exist when the GMP is mandatory for every single homoeopathic manufacturing unit. It will encourage others too and result in poor quality of medicines. West Bengal has got highest number of homoeopathic manufacturing units – 105, amounting to 26.38% of total HMU.

Expenditure on homoeopathy
Department of AYUSH has invested Rs. 678.97 crore (actual expenditure of the department) in 2009-10. The provisional actual expenditure for 2010-11 is 844.53 crore. There is no differentiation between the systems in the expenditure. However, the expenditure of major institutes helps comparing the spending on homoeopathy with the counterpart institute of other systems. Government has spent 0.09 crores for CCH, whereas 0.34 crores for CCIM (Central Council for Indian Medicine – for all other systems). For Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory it has spent 0.9 crores, whereas for PLIM (Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicines) it has spent 1.76 crores.

Expenditure for running National Institute of Homoeopathy is 20 crores, what as for National Institute of Ayurveda and National Institute of Siddha is 23 crore. In case of National Institute of Unani Medicine, it is 8.76 crore and, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and National Institute of Naturopathy put together, it is 12.5 crore. It is obvious that NIH has utilised the fund properly. In respect to research councils, expenditure for CCRH is 29.85 crore, for CCRAS (ayurveda and siddha) is 59 crores, for CCRUM (unani medicine) is 30.95 and for CCRYN (yoga and naturopathy) is 12.5 crores. Homoeopathy has got its due share.

Exports and imports
Foreign export of AYUSH medicines in the year 2009-10 amounts to Rs. 2887.01 crore. Total import of AYUSH medicines is 346.22 crore. Compounded annual growth rate of export of total AYUSH medicines from 1995-96 to 2009-10 is 12.63%. Rs. 5.58 crores of homoeopathic medicines and Rs. 2.83 crores of biochemic medicines have been exported in 2009-10.

Though the department can give more importance to homoeopathy in respect to hospitals and dispensaries, the expenditure on homoeopathic institutes show that homoeopathy is getting its due share of attention from the government.

Nutshell

• No. of registered practitioners of homoeopathy – 246,772 (in 2007-217,860; in 2008-239,285). Average annual growth rate for the period 1993-2010 is 2-5%. Current figure contributes 31.4% of total AYUSH doctors.
• No. of manufacturing units 398, whereas in 2007 it was 685, in 2008 it was 637 and in 2009 it was 571. As you know, WSI had lobbied in the past for GMP through various means. We have even interacted with media people emphasising on GMP. Subsequent to the enforcement, there is a definite improvement in terms of quality of products by other other manufacturers. Small manufacturers who could not afford the cost involved in upgradation, are forced to discontinue their licence.
• As far as Government Hospitals are concerned, Ayurveda hospitals contribute to 75% and Homoeopathic hospitals contribute to 7.5% of total no. hospitals. In respect to no. of beds, Ayurveda 71.5% and Homoeopathy 15.4%.
• But it is interesting to note that homoeopathic CGHS dispensaries are more than ayurveda. Homoeopathy – 35, ayurveda – 33. It is true with homoeopathic dispensaries under national institutes and research councils also. Homoeopathy – 30, ayurveda – 8.
• Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra and West Bengal have got highest contribution to the total number of homoeopathy hospitals by state governments with 6.7%, 8.8%, 13.3%, 8.3%, 18.8% and 5.0% respectively.
• Homoeopathy has got highest no. of admission for under-graduation. Homoeopathy – 12371, ayurveda 11927
• States with capacity more than 500 candidates – Maharashtra – 3560, MP – 1755, Gujarat – 1525, Karnataka – 840, Bihar – 810, West Bengal – 693, Rajastan – 515, Tamil Nadu 500. We may give priority to these states inn future.
• It is surprising to know that out of 398 homoeopathic manufacturing units (HMU), 199 are GMP compliant units and 199 are non-GMP compliant units. As GMP is mandatory now, I can’t understand how non-GMP units exist.
• As we know the highest percentage of HMUs are from West Bengal, amounting to 26.38%.
• Since 2005-06 every year no. of HMU is declining except in 2006-07.
• Department of AYUSH has invested Rs. 678.97 crore (actual expenditure of the department) in 2009-10. The provisional actual expenditure for 2010-11 is 844.53 crore.
• There is no differentiation between the systems in the expenditure. However, we can differentiate between the institutes of these systems. Below table compares the expenditures to the institutes.
• Foreign export of AYUSH medicines in the year 2009-10 amounts to Rs. 2887.01 crore.
• Total import is 346.22 crore.
• Cumulative annual growth rate of export from 1995-96 to 2009-10 is 12.63%.
• Rs. 5.58 crores of homoeopathic medicines and Rs. 2.83 crores of biochemic medicines have been exported in 2009-10.
• Cumulative annual growth rate of export from 1995-96 to 2009-10 is 12.63%.

Compiled by Dr R Valavan
Manager – Scientific Affairs, Dr. Willmar Schwabe India Pvt. Ltd.
Email : drvalavan@yahoo.com