ICMR hosts first annual clinical trial meet to boost integrative medicine research
New Delhi, May 21
The Indian Council of Medical Research's multicentric Phase III clinical trial has found that Ayurvedic formulations are therapeutically equivalent to standard iron-folic acid supplementation in treating moderate iron deficiency anaemia among women, an official statement said on Thursday.
The ICMR has organised '1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet 2026' to strengthen India's clinical trial ecosystem and advance evidence-based integrative medicine research in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
According to the government, the trial -- conducted by ICMR in collaboration with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) -- enrolled nearly 4,000 non‑pregnant women aged 18-49 with moderate anaemia.
The study compared Punarnavadi Mandura alone and in combination with Drakshavaleha against standard iron‑folic acid supplementation and assessed haemoglobin levels and clinical outcomes over a period of 90 days.
The event also witnessed the launch of the report on advancing First-in-Human Phase 1 Clinical Trials in India.
The study identified major bottlenecks affecting the advancement of early-phase clinical trials in India and recommended measures including strengthening regulatory capacity, streamlining approval processes and enhancing coordination among agencies to support innovation-driven clinical research in the country.
The report was developed through a two-round consultation involving 37 experts from the pharmaceutical industry, Contract Research Organisations (CROs), academia and national regulatory agencies.
A panel discussion saw meaningful deliberations on translating scientific evidence into public health policy and healthcare practice.
The meet brought together policymakers, scientists, clinicians, researchers, regulatory authorities and experts from diverse fields to discuss emerging opportunities, ethical frameworks, regulatory pathways and innovations in clinical research.
The dignitaries highlighted the need for robust clinical research systems, ethical governance and scientific validation of integrative healthcare practices to address emerging public health challenges and strengthen healthcare delivery mechanisms in the country.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive to see India investing in evidence-based research for integrative medicine. The collaboration between ICMR and CCRAS is exactly what we need—combining traditional knowledge with modern clinical trials. Hope this leads to more affordable and accessible treatments for anaemia.
Finally, some proper research on Ayurveda! My grandmother always swore by Punarnavadi Mandura for blood-related issues, but I never had the scientific backing to trust it fully. Now with 4,000 women studied over 90 days, this gives me confidence. However, I hope they also look into long-term side effects and not just 90-day outcomes. Let's not rush into claims.
As someone working in public health, I appreciate the focus on strengthening early-phase clinical trials and regulatory capacity. India has huge potential to become a global hub for clinical research, but bottlenecks in approvals and coordination have held us back. This meet seems to address those issues head-on. Good news for the pharma sector and patients alike.
Anaemia is such a widespread problem among Indian women, especially in rural areas where access to iron supplements is limited. If Ayurvedic alternatives are proven effective and cheaper, this could be a game-changer. But we need to ensure that these medicines are actually available at affordable prices in primary health centres, not just in big cities. 🏥
Good to see the government taking integrative medicine seriously. But I have one concern: why is this only for non-pregnant women? Pregnant women also suffer from anaemia, and they're often excluded from such trials. Hope future studies include them too. Otherwise, a commendable initiative!
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