The Hindu Business Line : Call to standardise, validate traditional medicines

APART from developing as a leading research and development base for the bio-pharma sector, India should also work towards standardising and validating the Indian traditional medicines and exploit its potential worldwide, Prof G. Padmanabhan, Emeritus Scientist, Indian Institute of Science, has said.

Speaking at an ongoing conference organised by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Application (ISAAA) and FICCI, he pointed out that "a vast majority of the traditional physicians as well preparations available are fake".

While a lot of work is being done in the area now, there is a need to publish them for peer-review, he noted. Vaccine manufacture is another area where India has core strength since the developed world does not find it an economically viable stream, added Prof Padmanabhan.

He also pointed out a the need to make available venture capital (VC) funding for start ups and suggested that government should dedicate at least Rs 200 crore for the purpose.

This was also echoed by the MSSRF Chairman, Mr M.S. Swaminathan, "We have recommended that the Government put in an additional Rs 1,200 crore per annum over the next three years towards setting up a biotech regulator from which Rs 200 crore will be towards VC funding."

Earlier during the day, Dr V. Prakash, Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, called for setting up a national database on GM foods in the country in order to address food safety issues.

CFTRI is the only reference food analysis centre for detection of GM in processed foods.

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