A review of traditional medicine research in Sri Lanka: 2015–2019

Abstract

bstract Member States of the WHO South-East Asia (‎SEA)‎ Region have prioritized attention to research in traditional medicine and supported substantial research activity to promote evidence-based traditional medicine practices. Many research reports have been published in national and international journals. However, despite many such research studies in countries, these have not been analysed systematically in terms of topic, area of research, and issues, challenges and gaps. On account of this, research findings are inadequately reflected in policy guidance on the development of traditional medicine and its appropriate integration with the public health care delivery systems. This publication provides a detailed account of traditional medicine research status in Sri Lanka during 2014–2019 with reference to research activities, types of clinical research, main health conditions studied, and the gaps, issues and challenges relating to clinical research in traditional medicine. It also enumerates the existing principles and practices for conducting research, including code of conduct, ethics, monitoring and evaluation, regulatory systems, reporting and dissemination, legal frameworks for protecting intellectual property rights, and administrative procedures.