THE NEED FOR INTEGRATING TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN TO MODERN MEDICAL PRACTICE

Dr A V Rama Rao is the only Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (FNA) who has trained 112 Ph.D. students, published more than 250 papers in reputed international scientific journals, developed over 30 process technologies for making life saving drugs more affordable and finally after retiring as Director of Indian Institute of chemical technology, built a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical company (Avra Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.,). He is an institutional builder and demonstrated his abilities by heading (1985-95) and transforming the Regional Research Laboratory into the more globally respected Indian Institute of chemical technology. He pioneered the concept of Institution and Industry interaction with several leading Indian pharmaceutical industries. Dr Rama Rao has received over 45 awards including “Padma Shri” and “Padma bhushan”. He is the first Indian to receive the technology award from the World Academy of Sciences. He rendered public service to the Government of India as the chairman or Member of various policy making bodies especially on Drugs and Pharmaceuticals.