The Asian Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) is devoted to promote education, research and dissemination of information in pharmacognosy (Materia Medica), id est, the study of plants and fungi used in medical practice (official and alternative).

This Society aims at contributing to the development of Pharmacognosy as a discipline, but also research in monographs, dosages, analysis of plant or fungal material used in pharmaceutical practice as well as alternative medicine, pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro of plant or fungal material or active principles, toxicology of plant or fungal material or active principles, ethnopharmacology, alternative medicines and more.

The teaching of Pharmacognosy is a fundamental component of Pharmacy curriculum and a pillar of post-graduate drug discovery research. The precise certification of a plant or fungal product is critical to ensure the safety of patients. Likewise, the manufacture of plant or fungal product requires strict taxonomical control. Another aspect is the falsification of raw material that is not only a fraud but put the life of patients at risks.

In brief, Pharmacognosy is more that ever needed in teaching, research and development. We hope to create a vibrant college of researchers, academics and students sharing the same passion for the study of medicinal products.