Jammu, Feb 18: A three-day International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Phytopharmaceuticals concluded at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) in Jammu.
The conference, held from February 16-18, was the first of its kind focused on advances in traditional medicines and phytopharmaceuticals. It was organized by CSIR-IIIM in collaboration with the Society for Ethnopharmacology India (Jammu Chapter).
Over 100 scientists, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders from India and abroad participated in the event. Countries represented included the USA, Malaysia, Bangladesh, UK, Australia, Italy and Ghana.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Vice President CSIR. Other dignitaries present included Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General CSIR, Prof. Vinod Singh of IIT Kanpur, directors of various CSIR labs, and industry leaders.
Sessions covered diverse topics on leveraging traditional knowledge systems and ethnopharmacology to develop new phytopharmaceuticals and plant-based medicines. Recommendations were made on sustainable approaches that balance innovation with preservation of traditional knowledge.
Delivering the valedictory address, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal Govt Medical College Jammu lauded IIIM Jammu’s research on plant-based drug discovery. He called for enhanced research collaboration to further position India as a global leader in this area.
In his concluding remarks, IIIM Director Dr. Zabeen Ahmed reiterated the institute’s commitment to translating traditional medicine knowledge into novel evidence-based phytopharmaceuticals to advance affordable and inclusive healthcare.