Sections & Workgroups > Section on Phyto-Pharmaceuticals
Section on Phyto-Pharmaceuticals
Currently there is intense interest worldwide for studying medical treatment derived from traditional medicine sources. The EFB therefore deems it appropriate to start a section on phyto-pharmaceutical science which will network with European scientific experts in the field from various countries which have source material based on natural plant materials from in particular China, Latin America, India and Russia. This section will aim to encourage via its members the establishment of scientific procedures and norms for enabling new biomedical health treatments in prevention of and intervention in the course of human diseases. The section will aim to be a channel for high level research investigation and global co operations to enable new drug discoveries.
In contrast to target oriented Western medicine, traditional use of herbal medicines such as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) uses a holistic, synergetic and personalized approach for diagnosis and treatment. Although products like those from TCM are sold in many countries, there is an insufficient post-market surveillance system, lack of control over quality and safety, no integration of existing knowledge on adverse effects, uncertainty over IPR issues and regulatory requirements, and in general a large need for more advanced knowledge and new approaches to R&D. At the scientific level at the present time there is little understanding about the mechanisms of action of many such therapies, which would be immediately valuable for evidence-based evaluation and improved regulation. Given the complexity of both the human body plus the often complex compositions of the herbal extracts, this requires multidisciplinary research applying advanced tools, in conjunction with holistic approaches, to decipher the scientific fundamentals of the medication.
As the EFB has established Regional Branch Offices (RBO) in Europe and via its task group on international relation, RBOs outside Europe, these can be natural elements for interacting with particular national requirements and national granting bodies including the European Commission and also be available to stimulate networking and high level scientific cooperation between our European members and important interested bodies such as the Chinese Ministeries, responsible for regulating and overseeing the proper use of phyto-pharmaceuticals.
The Board of the new Section will contain representatives of interested parties. To start, the Chairman has been nominated to be Professor Brian Clark and the Executive Director Mr. Jens Sundbye, both at the Danish RBO of the European Federation of Biotechnology.
All Section Members are welcome to become an active participant in this EFB Section.
For further information about the Section activities, please contact:
Prof. Brian F.C. Clark (Chairman)
Institute of Molecular Biology
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
E-mail: bfcc@mb.au.dk
Jens Sundbye (Executive Director)
BioMedico Forum
Forskerparken
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Tel +45 - 8620 5080
Fax +45 - 8620 1222
E-mail: js@biomedicoforum.dk