New Delhi, Jan 18 (KNN) The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), in association with the Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India  is organising a half day Stake holder Consultation on Developing a Strategy on Issues  Related to Traditional Medicine including Trade, Standards and IPR.

The objective of the consultation is to consider steps to be initiated for  regular discussion, monitoring and strategising of global developments, including IPRs and other regulatory measures, that impinge on the prospects of Indian Traditional Medicine (ITM), and strategies to improve access to ITM globally, and also ways to provide for more research studies on Traditional Medicines.  

India has been making efforts to open up the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISMs) to the world at large and that has created larger opportunity than hitherto for the products of these systems to enter the world market.

While the windows are open for Indian systems to move onto the global stage, restrictive trade practices adopted by certain countries create impediments for taking advantage of the opportunities created.

The consulation aims to establish a common platform for all actors and stakeholders to come together to contribute to pragmatic policy making in the area.

Objectives of the Forum for “Traditional Medicinal Knowledge” isto get studies done on the IPR issues and regulatory frameworks for traditional medicinal knowledge including protection of traditional medicinal knowledge, in India and in other countries, that impact access to Indian Systems of Medicine.

It also aims to examine the SPS/TBT measures that impinge on the prospects of Indian Systems of Medicine; and envisages being a Forum for close monitoring of global developments in the area and preparing cogent and coherent policy and strategy responses to those developments.