Dr. P. N. Varma, the 'Grandmaster' of Homoeopathy, left for his heavenly abode on 5th November 2018. The entire homoeopathic fraternity pays tributes to the legendary homeopath. Dr. P.N. Varma has made unique contributions to the homoeopathic manufacturing industry and scientific homoeopathy.
Dr Paras Nath Varma, Ex-director, Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, left for heavenly abode at 7.30 pm, 5 November 2018. Dr Varma's unique contribution to the homoeopathic pharmaceuticals and scientific Homoeopathy brought it to greater heights, and is an inspiration for the future.
In addition to being a homoeopathic doctor, pharmaceutical technologist and the founder director of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, he had been a member of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committees (HPCs) and Conventions of India and the USA. He had also served as a State Drugs Controller and Advisor in Homoeopathy. Dr Paras Nath Varma had worked on chemical and pharmacological standardisation leading to statutory controls of homoeopathic medicines.
Dr Paras Nath Varma was born in 1937 at Patna in the family of Dr A. L. Varma. His father established the first homoeopathic manufacturing unit in 1927 and a homoeopathic medical college in the state of Bihar. Dr Varma pursued Bachelor of Science from Patna University and Masters in Pharmaceutics from the University of Calcutta. There, he met Dr B. K. Sarkar who kindled his interest in Homoeopathy and he brought Dr Varma into the HPC, which included Dr Varma, Dr K. G. Saxena and Dr G. S. Bhar. They formulated the standards of homoeopathic drugs in India. The first Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (HPI) was published by the Government of India in 1971. A drug standardisation unit was setup at Patna under his supervision. His scientific and multidisciplinary approach enabled him to form a team of pharmacologist, chemist, pharmacogonosist and a homoeopath and subsequently, Homoeopathy was brought under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. He had been the scientific advisor of Dr Willmar Schwabe, India. He was associated with the HPC till he retired as the director in 1995.
At the CCRH, he worked for about 3 years and laid down the parameters and protocols for research in Homoeopathy. During this period, 44 homoeopathic research units were set up across India; drug proving and clinical verification of homoeopathic drugs was also conducted. These research units were strategically placed in order to spread Homoeopathy. In the early 1990s, he was unanimously elected as the member of the American Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia convention, and the French also consulted him for the standardisation of homoeopathic medicines.
He had authored many books including the Encyclopedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Side Effects of Homoeopathic Drugs, Family Guide of Homoeopathy, Lower Attenuation Trituration Tablets and others; over a dozen books and a hundred research papers. He had been instrumental in the preparation of over 1000 drug monographs for HPI, which is spread in ten volumes.
Indian pharmaceuticals now comply with the international standards and export quality homoeopathic medicines to the rest of the world. Much of the credit goes to people like Dr Paras Nath Varma who diligently worked for the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia and statutory control of homoeopathic medicines.
The CCRH shares a special bond with Dr Varma as he had been the director of the CCRH from 1978 to 1981. The staff and scientists of the CCRH remember him as an ardent director, an effective administrator and a passionate leader.
To this eternal soul, we bow in gratitude. May his inspirational life inspire us to do our best for Homoeopathy and humankind.