Evaluating medicinal herbs

BANGALORE: With demand and use of herbal-based products growing rapidly, there is a challenge for development of quality control methods and adoption of good manufacturing practices, governor Rameshwar Thakur said on Thursday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the International Herbal Conference-2009 -- Herbal Medicine: Evalaution of Quality, Efficacy and Safety -- organized by the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India, he said World Health Organisation statistics show 80% of the world's population depends on herbal medicines."A growing number of research studies are underway, testing the safety and effectiveness of popular herbal products.''
Stressing on a need-based approach to research, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences vive-chancellor S Ramanand Shetty said there is a need for scientifically validated and technologically standarized herbal medicines to convert resources into wealth.
Karnataka State Planning Board chairman D H Shankara Murthy warned against fake medicines in the market. Scientists pointed out that approximately 5,000 of the world's estimated 2,50,000 to 4,00,000 flowering plants have been analyzed for possible medicinal uses. A recent estimate indicates 39 to 43% of endemic plants and vertebrate animal species in 25 biological hotspots will be extinct by 2010.
The two-day conference is being attended by around 1,500 participants from 21 countries.
BOX
* The Association of Pharaceutical Teachers of India plans to establish a training institute for pharmacy teachers in Bangalore
* The world market for herbal medicines, including products and raw material, is estimated to have an annual growth rate of 5-15%
* Global herbal market is estimated at US $ 62 billion and expected to grow to US $ 5 trillion by 2050