CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF AYURVEDIC PHARMACOPOEIAL STANDARDS IN THE LIGHT OF CLASSICAL BHAISHAJYA KALPANA

Background: Bhaishajya Kalpana constitutes the pharmaceutical foundation of Ayurveda, wherein the quality and efficacy of formulations are governed by meticulous processing methods, dosage-form specificity, and classical quality indicators such as Samskara and Paka Lakshana.[1,5] The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) was developed to ensure quality control and uniformity of Ayurvedic drugs; however, its emphasis predominantly lies on analytical end- product parameters.[6] Objective: To critically evaluate the gaps in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India with reference to classical Bhaishajya Kalpana principles. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literary review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, and Sharangadhara Samhita. These principles were compared with standards prescribed in various volumes of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India to identify conceptual and pharmaceutical discrepancies. Results: The analysis revealed inadequate representation of process-based parameters, limited dosage- form-specific standards, insufficient emphasis on organoleptic assessment, and weak correlation between classical processing methods and stability criteria in API monographs. Conclusion: Although the API has significantly contributed to the analytical standardization of Ayurvedic medicines, the exclusion of classical pharmaceutical principles may affect reproducibility and therapeutic consistency. Incorporation of process-oriented standards rooted in Bhaishajya Kalpana is essential for strengthening Ayurvedic pharmacopeial practices.