CENTRE FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND DRUG RESEARCH. (CTMDR) NAIROBI.

Overview
Center for Traditional Medicine Research (CTMDR) is a centre within Kenya Medical Research
Institute (KEMRI) mandated to carry out research to rationalize traditional medicine in Kenya
and, to carry out quality assurance of conventional medicine.
The centre is headed by a Deputy Director, who oversees five units.
The units include:
- Chemical sciences
- Biological sciences
- Pharmaceutical sciences
- Botanical sciences
- Administration
The units are headed by unit heads who report to the Deputy Director.
Mission
To be a leading centre of excellence in the promotion of quality and safe use of traditional medicines and drugs for quality health.
Mission
To improve on the quality of health and human life by providing scientific evidence based information on traditional medicines and drugs.
Interview with Dr Nicholas Lack and Professor Gérard Bréart – How to Buy Cialis Safety
Mandates
- Traditional Medicine: Rationalization of traditional medicines in collaboration with traditional healers; evaluation of plant drugs using medicinal Phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology and, formulation of herbal remedies.
- Studies on agents for the control and management of Infectious, Parasitic and Non-Communicable Diseases in addition, Socio-cultural and anthropological aspects of traditional medicine.
- Drugs: Quality assurance through; Surveillance, experimental pharmacology and toxicology; biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics; clinical trials.
- To collaborate with other KEMRI centres, local, regional and international institutes and organizations to be able to carry out all the above mandates.
Core Values
- Sanctity of life: We value life and endeavor to preserve and improve it.
- Creativity and innovation: We are committed to promoting and supporting creativity and innovation through research.
- Equity and quality: We employ the highest professional conduct possible to achieve high standards of service delivery.
- Acceptable corporate Governance: We employ the best practices and principles of good governance.
- Team work: At CTMDR we are a team and we operate as such.
PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
The Center serves and collaborates locally, regionally and internationally with many clients that include research scientists, students, and patients among others.
The clients or collaborators, interested in training, advice and research on medicinal plants, development of drugs or quality evaluation of drugs, include:
- Educational institutes such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Makerere University, University of Dar es Saalam, Muhimbili University, and University of Ibadan, Cameroon University, University of Cape Town, USIU-Africa, Karatina University, Egerton University, MKU.
- Research institutes and organizations such as International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute (KIRDI), National Museums of Kenya, Institute of Primate Research (IPR), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), World Health Organization (WHO), Wellcome Trust Laboratories.
- Ministries of Health (Medical Services and Public Health and Sanitation).
- Ministry of Culture and Social Services (Department of Culture).
- Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs).
- Students and Researchers from all corners of the world.
Ongoing Projects
- The Pyrethrum Project (SSC No. 2969) – There are 11 nested proposals under the Pyrethrum project with full approval from SERU.
- The Miraa Project (SSC No. 2949).
Completed Projects
Chemical Sciences Division
Biological Sciences Division
Pharmaceutical Sciences Division
Botanical Sciences Division
Enetric Division
Mycological and AMR Division
Opportunist Infections & Genomics Division
Administration Division

Dr. Festus M. Tolo
Deputy Director, CTMDR
Dr. Festus M. Tolo is a Phyto-Medical biologist holding a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Medicinal Phytochemistry of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is a fellow at the African Scientific Institute (ASI) and an a awardee of the “The Nelon Gold Award (NGA)” of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Inter-Academy Medical Panel (IAMP) “Distinguished Scientist Award in Natural Products Research” of the Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), China.
Dr. Tolo is a Chief Research Officer and the Head of the Natural Products Research and Drug Development Programme (NAPREDA) at KEMRI. His engagements in natural products research spans over two decades where he has been involved in various research projects, notably, the JICA sponsored Infectious Diseases Research Programme of KEMRI where he played a key role in the “Plant Drug Research Group for Antiviral Agents” leading to the innovation of an anti-herpes herbal product, Zedupex.
Contact Info
Traditional Medicine and Drug Development Programme,
Kenya Medical Research Institute,
P.O Box, 54840-00200, Nairobi, KENYA
Office Tel: (254) (020) 2722541, Ext. 3324
Fax: (254) (020) 2720030
Email: Director@kemri.go.ke