By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD: The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, will organize a two-day International Exhibition and Seminar on Herbal Medicines Research, Processing and Drug Development on June 9-10 at the COMSTECH Secretariat.
According to the press release issued by COMSTECH on sunday, the event aims to bring together regulators, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, academia, industry representatives, scientists, pharmacists, and students to discuss emerging trends, regulatory frameworks, research opportunities, and future directions for the herbal, Unani, homeopathic, and traditional medicine sectors.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal will inaugurate the exhibition and seminar as the chief guest.
Ambassadors and diplomats from a number of OIC member states are also expected to participate and visit the exhibition featuring products and innovations from Pakistan’s leading herbal and traditional medicine manufacturers.
More than 50 manufacturers representing the herbal, Unani, homeopathic, and traditional medicine industries will participate in the event. Prominent organizations including Qarshi Industries, Marhaba Laboratories, Hamdard Laboratories, Herbion, Herbiotics, Nutrifactor, Hemani, Kamal Laboratories, Ashraf Laboratories, Mint Pharmaceuticals, Masood Homeopathic Laboratories and other leading companies will showcase their products, research initiatives, and technological advancements through dedicated exhibition stalls.
Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary will deliver the welcome address and outline COMSTECH’s initiatives aimed at promoting research, innovation, quality assurance, and international cooperation in traditional and complementary medicine.
The seminar will feature technical presentations by senior experts and regulators, including DRAP Chief Executive Officer Dr. Obaidullah, who will discuss the role of alternative medicines in healthcare systems. President National Tibb Council will speak on the integration of Unani medicine into national healthcare systems, while Dr. Abdul Rashid, Consultant (Health Initiatives) OIC-COMSTECH, will present emerging guidelines and regulatory considerations relating to clinical trials of herbal products, alternative medicines, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The event is expected to provide a platform for dialogue among stakeholders and contribute to the development of short-, medium-, and long-term policy recommendations for strengthening Pakistan’s herbal and traditional medicine sector. Discussions are also expected to support ongoing efforts towards documentation and standardization of herbal medicines and the development of a comprehensive Herbal Pharmacopoeia for Pakistan.
The exhibition and seminar form part of COMSTECH’s broader efforts to promote evidence-based traditional medicine, foster industry-academia collaboration, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and enhance international cooperation among OIC member states in health sciences and pharmaceutical innovation.
