Lahore: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare cooperation, scientific research, and pharmaceutical innovation between Pakistan and China. This was stated by Adeel Munawar, the Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), during a meeting at the PCJCCI Secretariat.
According to Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the establishment of the Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Traditional Chinese Medicine (SPCCTCM) at Hunan University of Medicine in Huaihua, China, and the University of Karachi is indicative of the deepening collaboration between the two nations in medical sciences, research, education, and public health. Adeel Munawar explained that these centers will provide a platform for joint research and development in herbal medicines, academic exchanges, medical treatment, industrial collaboration, and capacity building. This initiative aims to promote knowledge transfer and open new avenues for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions in both countries.
Traditional Chinese Medicine gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, noted Adeel Munawar, as China shared its treatment protocols, herbal formulations, and clinical expertise with various countries, including Pakistan. This cooperation underscored the significance of international collaboration in tackling public health challenges and advancing medical research.
The SPCCTCM will unite experts from Pakistan and China to conduct collaborative research on medicinal plant cultivation, botanical identification, phytochemistry, quality assurance, efficacy and safety evaluation, clinical research, and the development of innovative herbal medicines. The center will also support the registration and commercialization of herbal products in both nations, paving the way for increased bilateral investment in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Munawar highlighted Pakistan's potential in medicinal plant cultivation and herbal medicine production, while emphasizing China's expertise in TCM as a valuable opportunity for technology transfer, research collaboration, and industrial development. By leveraging their respective strengths, the two countries aim to develop internationally competitive herbal healthcare products and contribute to public health improvements.
He expressed confidence in the Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Traditional Chinese Medicine becoming a flagship platform for scientific cooperation under the Pakistan-China strategic partnership. The initiative is expected to enhance people-to-people connectivity, strengthen bilateral healthcare systems, promote innovation in traditional medicine, and further solidify the enduring friendship between the two nations.