No. PR – 178
December 22, 2021
New Delhi
“Under the CSR activities, Industry should come forward and collaborate with academia to conduct research activities on use of mercury in AYUSH said by Dr. Anupam Srivastava, Director, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India” AYUSH Committee, PHDCCI organized a webinar on ‘Use of Mercury and its compounds in ASU Sector’- Issues & Challenges on 21st December 2021. The webinar was graced with the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Manoj Nesari, Advisor, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Guest of Honour Dr. Anupam Srivastava, Director, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. The other eminent dignitaries from the Industry were Mr.Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI, Dr. J.L.N Sastry, Executive Director, Dabur India Limited, Dr. C.K Katiyar, Chief Executive Officer, (Technical) Emami Limited, Dr. Rajiv Rai, Chair, AYUSH Committee & Head Research, Dabur India Limited, Mr. Jitender Sodhi, Co-Chair, AYUSH Committee & Managing Director, AYUSH Herbs Pvt Ltd & Dr. Santosh Joshi, Co-Chair, AYUSH Committee & Sr. General Manager, Hamdard Laboratories India While welcoming all the dignitaries, Mr. Pradeep Multani said that the importance of Non-toxic Mercury compound i.e. Mercury Sulfide in manufacturing of Rasa Aushadhis in Ayurved medicine cannot be stressed more. Its contribution to therapeutic efficacy of Ayurved medicine is well patronized and documented in various clinical evidence and authoritative texts. He further said that the medicines which contain Mercury Sulfide are essential medicines of Ayurved Science and their continued supply to Ayurved practice is vital and important. Dr. Anupam Srivastava mentioned that mercury is considered the most toxic heavy metal in the environment. Mercury occurs abundantly in the environment, primarily as the minerals cinnabar and metacinnabar, and as impurities in other minerals. He further mentioned about various research activity conducted by Ministry of AYUSH about formulation of the mercury. Dr. Rajiv Rai briefed about the Minamata Convention which obliges government Parties to take a range of actions, including addressing mercury emissions to air and to phase-out certain mercury-containing products. He further shared that from 2025 there will no production of Chlor-Alkali and mercury and from 2032, the mining plant of the mercury will be closed which will pause a major challenge for the AYUSH Industry. Dr. Rai mentioned that we do not have any in-house domestic supply of elementary mercury. Mr. Jitender Sodhi said that the main uses of mercury are in dental amalgam and thermometers. He mentioned that mercury is a major toxic metal which contains sulfide, has been used in Chinese traditional medicines as an ingredient in various remedies. Dr. Santosh Joshi mentioned that though Mercury is a toxic element; it is being safely used in the AYUSH system since long time. Dr. Joshi said that the associated risk of the mercury can be controlled by various proactive steps like proper quality control by the industry, Risk management plan and education of Clinicians & industry. He further said that after detoxification of mercury, the therapeutic use of it is not harmful & not hazardous. Dr. Joshi also said that Unani Industry is committed for safe & efficacious use of Mercury. Dr. J. L. N Sastry mentioned about various reasons for mercury ban which includes illegal use, mercury mafia, pollution, organic mercury which cause minimata disease & other deadly neurological sympotms. While mentioning about the Artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM), Dr. Sastry said that ASGM is the single largest intentional use source of mercury pollution in the world. Dr. Sastry also mentioned that proven safety-efficacy is pharmacology and proven side-effect is toxicology. Mercury is main pillar for Indian Alchemy / Rasa Sastra in Ayurveda and Ministry of Commerce should make special note for mercury used by AYUSH industry. He also urged Ministry of AYUSH to join hands with TKDL/CSIR in making easy access to mercury. Dr. C.K Katiyar said that mercury is the base of Rasa Sastra which is the last official division to classical Ayurveda. Dr. Katiyar mentioned about various action points to satisfy Pre Informed Consent (PIC) to DGFT which includes mercury management plan proposal finalization & approval, infrastructure up-gradation & equipment procurement, Documentation & training and inclusion of mercury in hazardous waste from pollution control board and obtaining NOC /CTO/CCA. Dr. Katiyar also urged Ministry of AYUSH for exemption of mercury under traditional use & to convince the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. Mr. Vivek Seigell proposed a formal vote of thanks to all the dignitaries present for sparing their valuable time and knowledge with the industry. He also thanked all the sponsors for their continuous support in organizing these interactive webinar for the Industry. The webinar was sponsored by Association of Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicine (AMAM) and AYUSH Herbs private limited and was attended by more than 90 delegates from the Industry and academia. The webinar was also supported by PHDCCI Annual Sponsors such as, Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Star Wire ;P G Industry; Uflex Ltd; DLF Ltd; Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd; Belair Travel & Cargo Pvt Ltd; Radico Khaitan Ltd; Crystal Crop Protection Ltd; Paramount Communications; Superior Industries Ltd; JK Tyre & Industries Ltd; Comtech Interio; R E Rogers; AYUSH Herbs Private Ltd; Apeejay Stya Group; DCM Shriram; EaseMyTrip; Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd; MV Cotspin Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; P S BEDI & Co.; Indian Farmer & Fertilizers Corporation Ltd; Jindal Steel; Hindware Sanitary; Modern Automobiles; Livit Ltd.; Axa Parenteras Pvt. Ltd. ; Bhagwati Plastic and Pipes Industries
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Media Division
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry