|
The Pharmaceutical and Research Unit is responsible for
the production of traditional medicines and conducting scientific research to
assess efficacy and ensure quality. It was built with the assistance of the
European Union. This may be the only place in the world where ancient wisdom
is harmoniously blended with modern science. The wisdom of Sangay Menlha (Medicine Buddha) combined with modern processing
technologies and controlled by the principles of good manufacturing practice
(GMP) assures a high quality product.
At present it produces 103 compounds, which make up the
essential traditional medicine list. Different dosage forms are produced such
as pills, tablets, syrups, ointments, medicated oils, powders and capsules.
In-process quality control system is instituted to ensure quality of the
products. In order to preserve the pristine environment and rich
biodiversity, medicinal plant cultivation programs have also been initiated.
There is a proposal to privatise the production
unit in line with the government policy and the possibilities of commercialisation process are being studied.
Research efforts are focused on authentication of species,
building quality parameters both for raw materials and finished products and standardisation of production processes. Besides
production of core traditional medicines, the unit also gears itself towards
research and product development.
Specific objectives
for PRU are to:
1. Produce
high quality traditional medicines
2. Consolidate
quality assurance system
3. Increase
revenue generation capacity
4. Strengthen
scientific research activities
5. Achieve
self reliance in traditional medicines
The Institute
of Traditional Medical Services
has received assistance from the WHO in 1982 to improve the manufacturing
unit by installing several production machines. The present out patient
department, the training institute with hostel and therapy
sections were built with the assistance of DISVI an NGO of Italy in
1989.
The Pharmaceutical and Research Unit was built in 1994
with assistance of the European Union and was commissioned in 1998.
|
