The first expert meeting dedicated to developing the National Document for the Management of Traditional Medicine in Iran was held in Tehran. The goal of the gathering was to review general policy directions in the sector, which brought together high-ranking officials, leading scientists, and representatives of executive bodies.
According to Mehr news agency, Hossein Rezaizadeh, head of the headquarters for the development of traditional medicine and medicinal herbs, university professors, and representatives of executive departments participated in the meeting.
The first part of the meeting focused on the current state of the country regarding medicinal plants and traditional medicine, as well as the problems inherent in previous documents—their strengths and weaknesses—and new approaches and policies to be included in the strategic objectives of the new document.
Based on past experience, participants identified several key areas for strengthening the new document. These include comparing it with international frameworks developed by leading countries such as India and China; implementing more patient-oriented implementation indicators; prioritizing education while avoiding an excessive focus on the presence of qualifications in medicine; and utilizing the potential of health diplomacy.
Other topics discussed included the development of technological infrastructure, including processing plants for medicinal herbs, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), market regulation, the development of new pharmaceutical and therapeutic documentation, and the scientific management of traditional herbal shops and guilds.
Participants also noted the need to compile a comprehensive annual statistical publication on medicinal plants, clearly define the mandates of each relevant department and ministry according to their responsibilities, revise the composition of the headquarters council, restructure executive operations, and reform budget allocation mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of the National Document for the Management of Persian Medicine.
National Scientific and Technological Network
The Ministry of Health is working on creating a national scientific and technological network for Persian medicine. This network is intended to integrate scientific and technological efforts to enhance the status of Persian medicine and expand the value chain of medicinal plants. Rezaizadeh stated in February that the network will coordinate the country's research and scientific potential in the fields of complementary and Persian medicine to meet the needs of the healthcare sector and the knowledge-based economy.
He also noted that the network will serve as a platform for developing a technology roadmap related to local knowledge to address issues such as the lack of structured connection between traditional knowledge and modern technologies.
The main areas of work for the network are focused on biochemical, molecular, and microbiological research, animal studies, disease models, safety assessments, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics. Other key pillars of the network include the development of interdisciplinary research and the use of new technologies such as proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome studies, cell models, bioinformatics data analysis, epidemiological studies, and advanced animal models, which will create synergy between traditional knowledge, biological, and data-driven sciences.
Iran's Commitment to Traditional Medicine
During the closing ceremony of the second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the implementation of the Global Strategy on Traditional Medicine for 2025–2034.
The second global summit on traditional medicine, jointly organized by the WHO and the Government of India, took place from December 17 to 19 last year in New Delhi under the theme 'Restoring Balance: Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.' Rezaizadeh, Arman Zargaran, advisor to the Office of Traditional Medicine at the Ministry of Health, and Mohammad Fatali, Ambassador to India, attended the event.
According to the Ministry of Health website, five commitments of Iran include launching a collaborative WHO center, establishing a national platform for clinical trials, strengthening research and evidence base publication in authoritative journals, drafting five standard operating procedures (SOPs) for specialized Persian procedures, and integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system.
The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine aimed to advance the global movement towards restoring balance for people and the planet, based on the science and practice of traditional medicine. During the summit, Iranian officials participated in specialized discussions on traditional medicine. Zargaran delivered the first presentation titled 'Codifying Complexities: Standardization in Traditional Medicine Research' at parallel session 2A on the topic 'Translating the WHO Traditional Medicine Research Roadmap into Global Action.'
Like many ancient medical systems, Persian medicine uses a holistic approach to health, emphasizing lifestyle factors such as proper nutrition, moderate exercise, adequate sleep, and mental/emotional balance.
According to Roshnak Ghods, an associate professor of Persian medicine at the Iranian Medical University, many treatment methods in Persian medicine aim to restore balance and enhance the body's natural self-healing abilities. She noted: 'The knowledge accumulated over centuries of practice and research provides clinical insights and therapeutic approaches that complement modern medicine.' She added: 'Preserving this medical tradition and ensuring its accessibility guarantees that people today can benefit from this time-tested system of natural healing and its unique principles, but, of course, we also need evidence of the efficacy and safety of traditional and complementary medicine based on appropriate research methods for personalized medicine.'
Ghods envisions a healthcare system that combines traditional and conventional medicine without prejudice. 'Our future goal must be to provide personalized, patient-centered care that considers the mind, body, and spirit of the human being,' she concluded.