CCRAS and WHO hold national consultation on setting priorities for traditional medicine research
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an apex autonomous body under the Government of India, which undertakes pioneering initiatives to align traditional medical research with global standards and priorities, has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Shri Krishna Ayurvedic University, Kurukshetra and Dabur, a leading Ayurvedic company in India. CCRAS has also launched a newly updated website.
The first of its kind conference brought together representatives from various fields of Indian Traditional Medicine (TM) including policy makers, academics, researchers, patients and industry players and signed MoUs with the aim to identify and prioritise key areas of research in various traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy.
A one-day National Consultation on “Setting Research Priorities in Traditional Medicine” was held on 24 June 2024 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in collaboration with WHO-SEARO (World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia) Office and WHO-GTMC (World Health Organization Global Centre for Traditional Medicine).
“The objective is to ensure effective utilisation of funds and address critical needs in traditional medicine including medicinal plant research, quality, safety and efficacy studies, pre-clinical validation, rational use of traditional medicines, clinical trial monitoring, medical anthropology and digitisation of ancient medical texts, thereby supporting global acceptance and integration of traditional medicines,” said Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Health, India.
Prof. Kartar Singh Dhiman (Vd.), Vice Chancellor, Sri Krishna Ayush University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, highlighted the importance of the MoU and said within its scope, the two sides would consider fostering avenues of academic and research collaboration that would provide opportunities for researchers and scientists to exchange ideas through workshops and seminars.
Dr. Baidhannath Mishra, Head, R&D Healthcare Research, Davar Research and Development Centre, Davar India, emphasised that under this MoU, there will be collaboration and cooperation in pharmaceutical R&D in various novel dosage forms, drug development, capacity building, knowledge sharing and training in the field of Ayurveda.