The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) The number of registered Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing plants is 908. (ii) Provided in the annex; I table the annex. (iii) Regulation of Ayurvedic products is carried out in terms of the directives (Institutional Compendium) specified in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2379/02 dated 08.04.2024. (iv) Provisions under the Ayurvedic Act have been stipulated for regulation of marketing/promotional activities. (v) Under Section 13(o) of the Ayurveda Compendium (2024), after verifying the safety, efficacy, quality, and stability of declared medicines intended for human use prior to sale in the open market, arrangements are made to grant prior written approval for any advertisements relating to such declared products, substances, or medicines, in line with recommendations of the Ayurveda Manufacturing, Warehousing and Market Surveillance Committee.

¶ 03 (b) (i) It has been observed that promotions are conducted via social media regarding Ayurvedic products. (ii) No complaints have been recorded that public money is being defrauded through such promotions.

¶ 04 (c) Upon receiving any complaint about such promotions via social media, an appropriate inquiry will be conducted through investigation committees established under the Ayurveda Drugs and Products Regulatory Authority, and suitable action will be taken regarding such product advertisements in accordance with Section 13(o) of the Ayurveda Compendium (2024).

¶ 05 (d) Does not arise.