Ayurvedic drug manufacturers in Kerala are pushing for the establishment of a dedicated department for Ayurveda, akin to the Union Ministry of Ayush, to better regulate and promote their practices. D. Ramanathan, general secretary of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), emphasized that the current system combines modern medicine and Ayurveda under a single department, which may not adequately serve the interests of Ayurvedic practitioners. The call for a separate department comes just before the Kerala Assembly poll results, expected on May 4, highlighting the urgency of this request. The existing structure also places the Deputy Drugs Controller for Ayurveda under the State Drugs Controller, who oversees modern medicine, further complicating the regulatory landscape for Ayurvedic drugs. This separation is viewed as a necessary step to enhance the focus and development of Ayurveda in the state.