Page 87 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

There is no separate national law or regulation for Traditional and complementary

medicine (T&CM) in Nepal. The national policy on T&CM is integrated into the National
Drug Policy, which was issued in 1995. The Drug Act 1978 controls and regulates

T&CM as well as allopathic and veterinary medicines. Other related legislation includes
the Drug Registration Regulation (1981), the Code on Drug Manufacturing (1984,

revised in 2015), the Drug Standard Regulation (1986) and the Drug Investigation and
Inspection Rules (1983).

The Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Unit under the Ministry of Health and
Population in Kathmandu has been the T&CM national office since 2001. The national

programme for T&CM is integrated into the National Health Plan 2019 and Second
Long-Term Health Plan, 1997–2017

Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA) is primarily responsible
for the delivery of Ayurveda & Alternative Medicine Services and promotes healthy

lifestyles through its network facilities across the country. It is one of the three departments
of the Ministry of Health & Population (MoHP). It is responsible for planning,

programming, coordination, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the Ayurveda
Service programmes.

More than two third of the population in Nepal relies on traditional practices
for the primary health care, primarily due to its accessibility, affordability and its alignment

with cultural practices. There are estimated at least 400,000 traditional medicinal
practitioners in Nepal practicing different modalities like ritual or ceremonial practices,

spiritual practices, diet and self-healing.
T raditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report
The sources of Ayurveda medicine are medicinal herbs, minerals and animal

products. It is involved in promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services
of people. Ayurveda health services are delivered through one Central Ayurveda Hospital

(Naradevi), Provincial Hospital (Dang, Dhanagadhi, Jhapa), 77 Provincial Ayurveda
Chikitsalaya/Health Centres and 305 Ayurveda dispensaries (Aushadhalaya) across the

country.
The Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine unit in the Ministry of Health & Population

(MoHP) is responsible for formulating policies and guidelines for Ayurveda and other
traditional medical systems. Various national and international policies have highlighted

the importance of Ayurveda services in primary health care and for prevention of NCDs.
The Constitution of Nepal has called for the protection and promotion of traditional

Ayurveda medicines along with naturopathy and homoeopathy. In line with the federal
structure, the Ayurveda system needs to be restructured as mentioned in National Health

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