CME on Unani Pharmacy

Aligarh : Resource persons efficiently disseminated new knowledge, calling the attention of faculty members and Unani Pharmacists to new research findings in the six-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme of the Department of Saidla, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), which was sponsored by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

Speaking on the redesigning of drug in Unani formulations, the Chief Guest, Prof M M H Siddiqui (Retired faculty member, Department of Ilaj-Bit-Tadbeer) said, “Unani traditional dosage formulation has its importance even in the modern era, but there is a need for developing new convenient dosage forms through modern tools and new scientific parameters”.

“Rational drug design is a splendid inventive process of new medication on the basis of biological targets. Updated drug designs yield significant therapeutic response to enhance benefits of new drugs”, he added.

The Guest of Honour, Prof Salma Ahmad (Member-in-Charge, Dawakhana Tibbiya College, AMU) spoke on the importance of academia-industry collaboration for redesigning, processing, standardization, quality assurance and research and development of Unani Drugs.

Stressing the need for submitting project proposals to the industry, she pointed out academia-industry collaboration will promote innovation and growth in the field.

Resource persons Prof F S Sherani (Dean, Faculty of Unani Medicine, AMU and Organising Chairman of the CME), Prof Wazahat Husain (Retired academician from the Faculty of Science, AMU), Prof Mohammad Zakir (National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad), Dr Mohd Nayab (National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore), Dr Shariq Shamsi (National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore), Dr Mohd Usman (Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi), Prof Mohd Aftab Ahmad (Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi), Prof Mohd Aslam (Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi), Dr Mohammad Khalid (Govt. of NCT of New Delhi), Dr Mohd Azam (Govt. Unani Pharmacy, ‎AYUSH Department, Bhopal) and Dr Shariq Aqil (University Health Services, AMU) discussed pharmaceutical processing of drugs to achieve palatability, stability absorption and assimilability, and to enhance the safety and efficacy of drugs.

Prof F S Sherani delivered the welcome address in the inaugural function.

In the valedictory session, the Chief Guest, Prof Wazahat Hussain and the Guest of Honour, Imran Khan (Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, New Shama Laboratories, South Delhi) discussed the system of Unani Pharmacy as a holistic loom comprising drugs from natural identity and source.

Prof Wazahat delineated the importance of plant identification in Unani System of Medicine and Imran invited faculty and students of the Department of Saidla to visit the New Shama Laboratories.

Prof Sherani presented the CME report and Dr Mohammad Rashid (Programme Convener) extended the vote of thanks in the inaugural and valedictory functions.

Dr Qazi Zaid Ahmad (Organising Secretary), Dr Aziz ur Rahman (Co-Organising Secretary) and Dr Huda Nafees (Co-Convener) coordinated the event.