AYUSH Drug Testing Laboratory in Sontyam Still Non-Functional Over 10 Months After Completion

The AYUSH Drug Testing Laboratory at Sontyam, established by the Andhra Pradesh government, remains non-functional more than 10 months after its ₹8 crore building was completed. Officials have attributed the delay to pending procurement of essential equipment and the absence of supporting infrastructure.

Although the government approved the purchase of equipment worth Rs 2 crore, the sanctioned funds are yet to be released. “We have the approvals in place, but without the actual release of funds, the lab cannot begin operations,” a senior Health Department official told The Coastal Times.

The facility is intended to test medicines under Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy systems within Andhra Pradesh, eliminating the need to send samples to laboratories in Hyderabad, Chennai, and other cities. “Sending samples outside the State increases both the cost and the waiting time. A local facility will make a huge difference for manufacturers and patients,” said an AYUSH sector representative in Visakhapatnam.

Since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the absence of a drug testing laboratory and an Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing unit has been a major gap in the State’s healthcare infrastructure. Officials believe the Visakhapatnam lab could ensure stricter quality checks, reduce operational costs for companies, and ultimately lower costs for patients.

The laboratory is also expected to facilitate research into new drug formulations and provide hands-on training opportunities for Ayurveda students. “It can become a hub for innovation in traditional medicine, but we are losing valuable time,” said a senior academic from the Ayurveda College in Visakhapatnam.

Senior authorities have urged the State government to expedite the release of funds and make the AYUSH Drug Testing Laboratory operational at the earliest.