Lack of Basic Standard Materials, the Missing Ring in Medicinal Plants Chain

The secretary of National Network of Research and Technology in Medicinal Plants said, “Despite the fact that we have 8000 varieties of plant species in the country and we are doing well in equipment and production, there is a missing ring in the field of basic standard materials from the viewpoint of plants and their extracts.”

Dr. Peyman Salehi in a press conference for the 4th Iran’s National Congress in Medicinal Plants said, “National Network of Research and Technology in Medicinal Plants got its permit from Higher Education Development Council in 2004, and this is the first authorized network by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology after the revolution. After the Nano Network, it is the biggest scientific network of Iran, since 150 institutes and organizations relevant to medicinal plants are its members.”

He added, “This congress is held in Razi Hall for two days, May 12th and 13th, and it will revolve around agriculture and natural resources, basic sciences, pharmacy, medicine, veterinary, industry and economics. Also, out of 1766 papers that were sent to the secretariat, 1362 papers have been accepted for presentation.”

He further stated, “We have an acceptable status in publication of papers in the field of medicinal plants so much so that we have had a rise in the field of medicine and pharmacy, agriculture and basic sciences, yet the missing ring in all of these is the basic standard material such as plant, inputs and extracts.”

He asserted, “In accordance with National Medicinal Plants and traditional medicine Documents, we must reach a certain quantity in agriculture and medicinal plants production by 2025. This would require precise planning. Furthermore, the number of species which are being industrialized is lower than the need of the country.”