Page 45 - IMR ANNUAL REPORT 2021: INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

32 IMR ANNUAL REPORT 2021

HERBAL MEDICINE

RESEARCH CENTRE (HMRC)

The Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC) provides evidence-based
information on herbal medicine and focuses on herbal drug discovery. The
centre is made up of the Integrative Health Information Unit, Toxicology and
Pharmacology Unit, Phytochemistry Unit, Bioassay Unit and Good Laboratory
Practice (GLP) Section.
HERBAL MEDICINE RESEARCH CENTRE (HMRC) The centre’s objectives are:

To conduct research to determine the effectiveness and
safety of herbal products and traditional and complementary
medicine (T&CM) treatments by following a standard system

To coordinate research activities related to herbal
medicine and T&CM treatment in Malaysia

To contribute in the discovery and authenticity of herbal
medicine and T&CM treatment which has scientific
information in Malaysia for better commercial value to
penetrate the overseas market
Objectives
To collect various information on herbal medicine and
T&CM treatment in Malaysia and overseas through research
by preparing databases, monographs, compendiums and
web portal for integrated medicine known as the Global
Information Hub on Integrated Medicine (Globinmed)

To give advice to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other
agencies on matters related to herbal medicine and T&CM
use

To conduct diagnostic tests for the determination of heavy
metals and drug addiction as well as coordinating the
Malaysian External Quality Assessment Programme (MEQAS)
and National Drug Quality Control Programme (NDQCP) for
laboratories in MOH