ICMR To Develop Drugs From Medicinal Plants

Giving an impetus to the traditional medicinal system, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) today signed an MoU with National Innovation Foundation (NIF) to develop drugs from medicinal plants or multi-herb formulations that have never been compiled.

The MoU that is valid for next five years was signed by ICMR Director General N K Ganguly and NIF Executive Vice President Anil K Gupta.

As per the MoU, the ICMR will work towards validating the safety and efficiency of the practices that are claimed to have therapeutic value by grassroot healers.

"This step will also serve to recognise, respect and reward the knowledge-rich, economically poor indigenous people," an ICMR release said.

The ICMR will be utilising a huge database of 30,000 medical practices prepared by the NIF, an autonomous body sponsored by Science and Technology Department, through its 'Honeybee Network'.

The database has a compilation of rare medicinal practices which were never codified or authenticated by any medical research agency. These are also not mentioned in the classical texts of either Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani, the release added.

Source:PTI News