The International Conference on challenges for global competitiveness of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) and natural products was held between February 2 and February 4, 2018 at Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi.

It was organized jointly by DPSRU with International Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicines (IASTAM).

While delivering his inaugural address Lt. Governor Anil Baijal emphasized on the role of herbal products as traditional medicines in the global market and called for exploring the potential of Asian medicine for economic development of the country.  This should be done by not only creating sustainable market for herbal products, but also to collaborate with the biodiversity park for exploring further research and innovation in natural heritage.

He expressed the view that it is essential to develop ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Ayush integrating different disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences with traditional systems of medicine leading to globally acceptable safe, affordable and quality products for the benefit of the people.

Prof. R K Goyal, Vice Chancellor, DPSRU mentioned that the conference is being attended by over 650 delegates and more than 300 abstracts were received for oral as well as for poster presentations. He stated that the objective of the conference was to overcome boundaries, whether there are geographical or subject disciplines, ancient versus modern science and to deliberate on challenges faced in India for the promotion of traditional medicine practice. Dr. Goyal pointed out that a special session of conference was deliberated on the formation of syllabus in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathic pharmacy to raise the standards of the products from traditional medicines.

Dr. Narendra Bhatt, President, IASTAM highlighted the activities of IASTAM and the role played by the organization in research and development of the herbal medicinal system. Prof. V.M. Katoch, Secretary, Former Director General, ICMR and Guest of Honour on the occasion enlightened the gathering about the role of herbal medicine in human health care system and recent innovations and trends in herbal product development. He also emphasized on standardization of treatment methods along with importance of role pf quality assurance, pharmacogenomics in integrated medicine.

On the second day of the conference many stalwarts like Mr. Mark Rosenberg, European Academy of Ayurveda – REAA, Birstein, Germany, Prof. Larry Walker, University of Mississippi, USA and Dr. Ram Vishwakarma ,Director CSIR- IIIM, Jammu India, shared their valuable views with the participants.

Dr. Ikhlas Khan, National Center for Natural Products Research, USA, while delivering his talk mentioned that the use of herbal medicine has expanded globally and gained popularity, but the safety and efficacy as well as quality control of herbal medicines are matters of concern for both health authorities and the public.

While Dr. Karan Vasisht, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, delivered talk on Applications of Modern techniques in herbal analysis, Dr. Kishor Patwardhan, Faculty of Ayurveda, BHU, Varanasi suggested policy interventions in the matters related to Ayurveda drug safety.

There was a thought provoking session about opportunities with traditional medicines in which, Dr. Shridhar Dwivedi, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, National Heart Institute,  New Delhi delivered a talk on Holistic Approach to Prevent Current Pandemic of Non Communicable Diseases. He stated that it is entirely possible to prevent the further surge of these illnesses by integrating our rich heritage of yoga, Ayurveda with modern scientific recommendations of American Heart Association, European Heart Society on prevention of various heart diseases.

Dr. D.B.A Narayana Former Director, Regulatory Affairs, Foods and HPC, Unilever Research, Bangalore expressed that well formulated and stable botanical products with adequate quality specifications holds the key for future delivery of health care. Dr. Jai Prakash Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad., threw light on role of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission in ensuring quality of herbal drugs while Dr. Arun Gupta, Head – Medical Affairs & Clinical Research, Dabur R & D Centre presented a regulatory overview of the herbal drug development. Other dignitaries such as Prof. Anand Chaudhary, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Prof. Kanchan Kohli, Head and Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard highlighted role on nanomedicine in delivery of Ayurvedic and herbal formulations respectively.

This was the culmination of 3 days conference, in which about 300 researchers presented their view on various aspects ranging traditional medicine. The awards for “Best oral and poster presentations” were distributed by dignitaries. Dr Mahaveer Dhobi, Organizing secretary, summarized the proceedings and outcomes of the conference. Dr Raman Dang, Registrar, DPSRU presented vote of thanks.