Jammu to Spearhead India's first Cannabis Medicine Project

Tags: Government Schemes

CSIR-IIIM Jammu is all set to lead India's first cannabis medicine project, a pioneering initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

An Overview of the News

• ThisCannabis Medicine project, initiated in collaboration with Canadian firm IndusScan, aims to explore the medicinal potential of cannabis to benefit patients with neuropathy, cancer and epilepsy, known for its abuse potential.

• The collaboration between CSIR-IIIM Jammu and IndusScan is historic and of great importance to J&K and the country as a whole. It has the potential to revolutionise drug production in India, enabling the country to produce and export drugs that were earlier sourced from abroad.

• The project will play a vital role in raising awareness about the diverse medicinal applications of cannabis, especially in providing relief to patients suffering from fatal diseases and various other ailments.

• In the context of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), once all the necessary approvals are received, the initiative will be launched to market high-quality drugs suitable for the treatment of neuropathy, diabetic pain and others.

• enable production. This will encourage self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.

CSIR-IIIM (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine):

• It is located in Jammu, India, and is a part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

• CSIR-IIIM focuses on research in medicinal chemistry, natural products, herbal medicines, drug discovery and integrative medicine.

• The institute aims to develop innovative solutions to health challenges by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques.

• CSIR-IIIM collaborates with national and international research organisations, academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to further its research goals and contribute to India's scientific progress and healthcare sector.

• Chief Scientist, CSIR-IIIM Jammu - Dr. Zabir Ahmed

About Medical Cannabis

• The FDA approved cannabis-derived drugs such as Marinol/Nabilone and Cesamet to effectively manage nausea and vomiting in patients.

• Sativex, another FDA-approved drug, uses cannabis to treat neuropathic pain and spasms, bringing relief to those suffering from these conditions.

• Epidiolex containing cannabidiol has shown promising results in the treatment of epilepsy, offering new possibilities for patients with the condition.

• Besides the United States, other countries are also exploring various medical applications of cannabis, taking advantage of its potential to treat various health conditions.