Ayush Suraksha Portal Logs Over 10,000 Complaints Within A Year Of Launch

Concerns over misleading claims and patient safety in the traditional medicine sector have come into sharper focus, with the Ayush Suraksha Portal recording over 10,000 complaints within a year of its launch.

Launched by the Ministry of Ayush on May 30, 2025, the portal was envisaged as a digital platform to track misleading advertisements (MLAs), objectionable advertisements (OAs), and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with AYUSH systems of medicine. It provides a centralized dashboard to facilitate reporting, monitoring, and regulatory action.

According to the latest data presented in the Lok Sabha, the portal has so far logged 10,269 complaints related to misleading advertisements and 216 suspected adverse drug reactions. The volume of complaints within a relatively short period has raised questions about the extent of unverified claims in the sector and the need for stronger regulatory oversight.

However, on the positive side, this also signals increased scrutiny and engagement with regulatory mechanisms in the traditional medicine sector, the government has informed Parliament.

The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Pratap Rao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Institutional reporting has accounted for a significant share of the complaints. Intermediary Pharmacovigilance Centres (IPVCs) have emerged as key contributors, with the National Institute of Ayurveda alone reporting over 5,200 cases.

Other major contributors include the National Institute of Unani Medicine, the National Institute of Siddha, and the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda. Public submissions and inputs from institutions such as the All India Institute of Ayurveda have also been recorded, though in comparatively smaller numbers.

The Ministry said all complaints received through the portal are forwarded to the concerned state and union territory authorities for appropriate action. However, data provided by states reveal varying levels of responsiveness. Maharashtra reported disposing of all 1,112 complaints received, while Kerala also recorded full disposal of its 108 cases. In contrast, states such as Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu reported only partial action on the complaints logged.

In the national capital, 369 complaints were recorded, of which 322 have been acted upon so far. Notably, several large states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, reported no complaints on the portal, raising questions about awareness, reporting practices, and enforcement at the state level.

The data also indicate a limited number of repeat offenders identified so far. Uttarakhand reported 10 such cases, followed by Puducherry with four and Tripura with one, with action reportedly taken in each instance. Officials said tracking repeat violations is a key feature of the system and will aid in strengthening regulatory deterrence.

Beyond its enforcement role, the portal is intended to function as a data repository, enabling authorities to identify patterns in misleading claims and potential safety concerns linked to AYUSH drugs. The integration of pharmacovigilance inputs is expected to improve monitoring of adverse drug reactions—an area that has historically received less systematic attention in traditional medicine systems.

The initiative assumes significance at a time when the use of AYUSH therapies is expanding across the country.

“While the sector has seen increased acceptance, concerns persist regarding unverified claims and patient safety. By enabling structured reporting and follow-up action, the government aims to enhance accountability and ensure that regulatory oversight keeps pace with the sector’s growth,” said an official from the Ministry.