Public Policy and Ayurveda

The modernisation of Ayurveda has been the focus of both state and civil society organisations since colonial times. This paper argues that modernisation of Ayurveda undertaken by both the state and civil society has been governed by a 'pharmaceutic episteme' which focuses on retaining the usefulness of Ayurveda as a mere supplier of new medicines while dismissing its world view on the body, health and disease. This episteme continues to govern contemporary attempts to modernise the system, as is illustrated by the recently announced comprehensive policy on indigenous systems, the first of its kind since independence.