New Delhi / Hyderabad, : The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), in collaboration with National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India organized today a “National Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)” at its National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad.
Shri Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Ayush presided over the function. He highlighted the mandate of Ministry of Ayush and support provided to overall development of Unani Medicine. He stressed upon the importance of obtaining Patents particularly on innovations in the field of Ayush systems.
Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard was the Chief Guest at the function; he emphasized the potential of Indian traditional systems of medicine, including Unani medicine, and its possible applications in Intellectual Property Rights.
Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Advisor (Unani) to the Government of India and Director General, CCRUM Ministry of Ayush, in his address gave a brief overview of the functioning of CCRUM and highlighted the achievements in the area of Intellectual Property Rights. He informed that 17 Patents have been granted to CCRUM by the Indian Patent Office (IPO), and seven Patent applications are in process at the IPO. He also informed that measures are being taken to further strengthen the Intellectual Property related activities in the Council and its peripheral institutes.
Dr. Waseem ur Rehman, Additional Commissioner, Income Tax Department, Hyderabad was the Guest of Honour; he encouraged the Council to evolve an IP strategy for inventors and make efforts for obtaining Patents at national and international levels.
The vote of thanks at inaugural session was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Minhajuddin, Deputy Director In-Charge, NRIUMSD, Hyderabad; he shed light on various activities of the Institute and assured to take forward the Institute to greater heights. Dr Ghazala Javed, Senior Research Officer(Unani) from CCRUM Hqs and Nodal officer for NRIUMSD, Hyderabad coordinated the proceedings of the inaugurual event.
Around 200 delegates from academia, industry, regulators, and researchers in the field of Unani Medicine from various organisation from Hyderabad participated in the seminar. The seminar covered various aspects of IPRs and related issues in three technical sessions, which had invited experts from various Institutions, like NRDC, New Delhi; NIPER, Hyderabad; CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad; GNTC, Hyderabad; Dr. BRKR Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College, Hyderabad; Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, etc.
The seminar provided a platform to academia, researchers, regulators, industries and students to develop an understanding of Intellectual Property Rights, innovations and practices, and promoting Unani System of Medicine across the globe.
Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India will also sign an Agreement with National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research & Education (NIPER), Hyderabad for ‘Transfer of Technology of Unani Toothpaste’ in order to advance the knowledge and to further develop a technology in Unani Medicine, so that the people can be benefited from the product.
