Lack of scientific evidence in the system of Ayurvedic medicine makes it difficult for the institution to be practised in the US, given the strong malpractice law in the country, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has said.

When a medicine is prescribed, the practitioner has to have some back-up studies for his decision especially in view of strong malpractice law in the United States, AAPI President Dr Hemantkumar Patel said in New York.

"You just cannot go by anecdotal evidence," he added.

That is what happens in the allopathic system where the practitioner has studies to back up his decision to prescribe a particular drug to a patient. Unless the same could be done for Ayurvedic system, the practitioners could be slapped with malpractice suits if a case goes wrong, Patel explained.

No such studies are available in the Ayurvedic system, Patel said, stressing that this is the reason it cannot be practiced in the US, its effectiveness notwithstanding.

Announcing a three-day annual convention of AAPI to be held from June 25 at Las Vegas [Images], Patel also said that Health Minister A Ramadoss will be the key-note speaker at the event.

The meet, which is expected to be attended by about 2,500 of its 42,000 members, will discuss, among other things, how the organisation can more effectively participate and help in the improvement of the healthcare system in India.

It will also discuss the changes needed in the US healthcare system as any change would affect the physicians of Indian origin as much as others, he said addressing a press conference at the Indian Consulate.

Both the likely Democratic and Republican Presidential nominees Barack Obama [Images] and John McCain [Images] have vowed to reform the system which leaves some 45 million working class people out of health insurance system.

Patel said they have been meeting lawmakers to put across their viewpoint which is very close to medical community as a whole.

AAPI, he said, has invited both candidates to address the convention but he was not confident that they would be able find time as they are campaigning hard.

The body, which is already a participant in rural health initiative in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, is also in contact with Indian medical bodies to develop a partnership, Patel said and is working to offer suggestions for setting up trauma centres along the highways.