Labels of 18 Ayurvedic drugs made in India violate drugs and cosmetics rules.
Around 18 ayurvedic, says a report by consumer magazine Insight that has published the findings of a study of labels.
The medicines were selected on the basis of studies in the US and Canada.
None of these widely sold products declared on their labels the presence of heavy metals-lead, mercury or arsenic- that they contained according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and testing by Health Canada who has warned consumers against using some of these Indian Ayurvedic products.
The medicines with very high content of heavy metals were Mahayograj Guggulu with Silver and Makardhwaj (Baidyanath), Mahalaxmi Vilas Ras with Gold (Baidyanath), Navratna Rasa (Unjha Pharmacy) and Swarna Mahayograj Gugglu with Gold (Baidyanath).
Products of big companies like Dabur and Zandu are also on the caution list.
As per the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, the medicines have to mention all the ingredients.
Even though one brand mentioned mercury, it contained lead, mercury and arsenic and that too above acceptable levels.
Many of the medicines covered by JAMA are recommended for children.
Out of 14 medicines covered by JAMA, 13 had lead above acceptable levels.
Lead accumulation in the body leads to lead poisoning that has adverse effects on health like damage to the kidneys, liver, heart and central nervous system.
In children, it is associated with learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation.
An analysis showed that the lead content in, among others, Suvarna Vasant Malati Bruhat (Raka Laboratories), was 3.73 per cent.
At the recommended dosage of two pills twice a day this works out a lead consumption of 149.3 mg per week which is nearly 50 times the maximum limit set by the World Health Organisation of three mg per week.
CERS has filed a case which is pending before the National Commission.