India Hosts WHO–IRCH Global Workshop on Safety, Efficacy of Herbal Medicines

 In a landmark event for the global traditional medicine community, the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) under the Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated the WHO–IRCH Global Workshops on “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-1) and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-3) today at its headquarters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The three-day workshop, organised in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has positioned India at the helm of global efforts to harmonize and enhance standards in the herbal medicine sector.

The event marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to promote traditional systems of medicine, especially those within the Ayush framework, by emphasizing scientific validation, regulatory convergence, quality assurance, and clinical efficacy of herbal treatments.

Strengthening Global Cooperation on Traditional Medicines

Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, formally inaugurated the event and reiterated India’s dedication to driving evidence-based approaches to traditional medicine. “As the lead country for Working Groups 1 and 3, India is deeply committed to fostering international collaboration to bring credibility, consistency, and innovation to the global herbal medicine ecosystem,” he stated.

Highlighting the significance of the WHO–IRCH (International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines) platform, Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson of WHO–IRCH and Head of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine at WHO, emphasized the critical need for cross-border alignment in safety protocols and pharmacopoeial standards for herbal drugs.

Showcasing India's Leadership in Traditional Medicine

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Ms. Monalisa Das, serving as Guest of Honour, spotlighted India’s world-class regulatory institutions, such as PCIM&H, and their contributions to international benchmarks for herbal medicines. “India’s pharmacopoeial frameworks are not only preserving traditional knowledge but aligning them with rigorous global standards,” she said.

In his welcome address, Dr. Raghu Arackal, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush, noted the importance of institutional research and academic collaboration in shaping the future of global herbal pharmacopoeia.

Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director of PCIM&H, thanked WHO and all delegates for fostering multilateral partnerships and expressed confidence that the workshop would pave the way for unified standards that bolster public health through herbal therapies.

Diverse International Participation Reflects Global Interest

The event has attracted participation from multiple WHO–IRCH member and observer countries, affirming the growing relevance of traditional medicine systems in public health.

Represented regions and countries include:

• EURO Region: Poland

• SEARO Region: Nepal, Bhutan

• WPRO Region: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Indonesia

• AMRO Region: Cuba

• EMRO Region: Iran

• Observer States: Sri Lanka, Paraguay

• Virtual Participants: United States, Brazil, Egypt

Delegates include regulatory officials, researchers, pharmacopoeial experts, and industry leaders, all committed to aligning best practices in safety, efficacy, and regulation of herbal products.

A Hands-On Agenda with Practical Insights

The workshops are designed to move beyond policy dialogues and incorporate practical training and knowledge exchange, including:

• Hands-on sessions in herbal drug standardisation, focusing on pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and elemental analysis techniques.

• Site visits to premier Ayush institutions and manufacturing units for real-time insights into India’s practices in production, clinical application, and quality control.

• Knowledge-sharing sessions on challenges, innovations, and case studies from participant nations.

By focusing on evidence-based integration of herbal medicines into mainstream health systems, the workshops support the WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034) and align with India’s national goals under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

India’s Strategic Role in WHO’s Traditional Medicine Agenda

The workshop is part of a broader commitment made during the Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in Gandhinagar in August 2023, where India pledged to advance global standards in Ayush systems. With this current workshop, India reinforces its role as a regulatory, academic, and policy leader in traditional medicine.

As a custodian of ancient medical knowledge systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy, India’s role in framing global herbal medicine standards is seen as pivotal to ensuring safe, effective, and accessible healthcare.

Looking Ahead

The workshops, which run from 6th to 8th August 2025, are expected to generate key policy recommendations, technical manuals, and frameworks that will be submitted to WHO for broader implementation. These outcomes are poised to contribute to an international pharmacopoeia ecosystem that empowers all nations to leverage traditional medicine for modern-day health challenges.