ICMR hosts first annual clinical trial meet to boost integrative medicine research
Lokmat
Last updated: May 21, 2026
A recent ICMR multicentric Phase III clinical trial has demonstrated that Ayurvedic formulations are therapeutically equivalent to standard iron-folic acid supplementation for treating moderate iron deficiency anemia in women. This finding was shared during the '1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet 2026,' an event aimed at enhancing India's clinical trial ecosystem and promoting evidence-based integrative medicine research.
- The clinical trial, conducted by ICMR in partnership with CCRAS, involved approximately 4,000 non-pregnant women aged 18-49 diagnosed with moderate anemia. The study evaluated the efficacy of Punarnavadi Mandura, both alone and combined with Drakshavaleha, against standard iron-folic acid supplementation over 90 days, focusing on hemoglobin levels and clinical outcomes.
- The meet also featured the launch of a report addressing bottlenecks in early-phase clinical trials in India, proposing solutions such as strengthening regulatory capacity and streamlining approval processes. Discussions also covered translating scientific evidence into public health policy and the ethical validation of integrative healthcare practices to tackle public health challenges.
