SRMC - Press Release -3rd November 2009

Pre-clinical and clinical research is the need of the hour to revalidate the efficacy and safety of siddha system of Indian medicine, said Mr.S.Gandhiselvan, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare while inaugurating a national workshop on the subject at Sri Ramachandra University here today. He said that the social acceptance of siddha medicines is not very encouraging because medicinal compounds are being churned out by these practioners without subjecting them to established protocols. The collaboration between SRU and two Government of India organizations, National Institute of Siddha and Central Research Institute Siddha is a fine example of private public partnership, he added.

Speaking on the occasion. Mr.B.Anand, Joint Secretary in the union ministry of Ayush said that there is a crisis of credibility on the efficacy and safety of siddha system of Indian medicine because of western criticism that it contains metallic and other toxic contents beyond the limits prescribed by World Health Organisation. We need path breaking research on modern scientific methods to prove the efficacy and safety of siddha medicines, he said. Mr.Anand also suggested integration between traditional Indian systems of medicine and modern systems of medicine even at the academic level.

The Chancellor Mr.V.R.Venkataachalam honoured the distinguished guests.

In his address, Mr.G.A.Raj Kumar, Principal Secretary and Director, Department of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, Tamilnadu said the two day national workshop should deliberate on the many issues concerning siddha medicine and come out with clear cut recommendations.

Dr.S.Thanikachalam, Chairman and Director, Cardiac Care Centre, Sri Ramachandra University said that even though government has given tremendous importance and greater fillip to these AYUSH systems of medicine, still the involvement of siddha professionals as well as their acceptance of the need for well structured basic clinical research based on guidelines by ICMR as well as US-FDA is not adequate. As a follow up of the workshop the National Institute of Siddha, Central Research Institute Siddha and Sri Ramachandra University will combine in doing pre-clinical and clinical research in siddha medicines which have been in use in Tamilnadu for centuries, he added.

Dr.S.Rangaswami, Vice Chancellor, SRU said that research methodology has been included in the curriculum at the under graduate level itself and a five year integrated programme leading upto Ph.D has been started in Pharmacy.

Dr.S.P.Thyagarajan, Director and Chief Advisor (Research), SRU said that the primary concern of international medical experts is poor quality control in the production of siddha medicine and the metallic and other toxic contents in them. These medicines have to undergo severe toxicity tests he said. SRU has very good infrastructure facilities to do research on Indian herbal drugs, he added.

Prof.K.Manickavasakam, Director, National Institute of Siddha welcomed the gathering and Dr.T.Anandan, Assistant Director, Central Research Institute, Siddha explained the theme of the workshop.

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For more information please contact Dr. S.Thanikachalam, Chairman and Director, Cardiac Care Centre, SRU.9840048269.