OXFORD,
Miss. – For years, the National Center for Natural Products Research at
the University of Mississippi has assisted the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration in the international study of the safety and
authenticity of botanicals in the U.S. market.
The FDA has
recognized the NCNPR’s leadership with a Special Citation from the
commissioner during its annual honor awards ceremony today (June 4) in
Greenbelt, Md.
“This citation testifies to the recognition of the importance and quality of the work of Dr. Ikhlas Khan and his group by the FDA commissioner’s office,” said Larry Walker, NCNPR director. “They especially have recognized his work in promoting dialogue and interface with government and industry in India, China and other countries.”
“Of the FDA’s four Centers for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, ours is the only one focused on botanical dietary supplements,” said Khan, NCNPR assistant director. “Our project officers and collaborators at CFSAN have watched our work develop, advised us, critiqued our program and utilized our research findings over the last several years.”
Besides the center’s research program with FDA, NCNPR hosts the annual Oxford International Conference on the Science of Botanicals, Walker said.
“Dr. Khan and Dr. Troy Smillie have fashioned this into a premier conference on botanical supplements, drawing regulators, industry, trade organizations and researchers from around the world,” Walker said. “This brings outstanding exposure for the NCNPR, and for Oxford, Ole Miss and the School of Pharmacy.”
“The center’s success in identifying and answering critical research questions, discovering and developing new natural product-derived lead compounds to treat illnesses, and establishing important international collaborations has been remarkable,” said Barbara Wells, dean of the UM School of Pharmacy. “All of these accomplishments are the result of the inspired and creative leadership of Drs. Walker and Khan and the selfless commitment of NCNPR researchers from across the globe.”
NCNPR , part of the UM School of Pharmacy, is a unique university-affiliated research center devoted to improving human health through the discovery, development, and safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals and supplements derived from natural products.