India Hosts Global WHO-IRCH Workshop to Advance Safe, Regulated Herbal Medicine

The Ministry of Ayush, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), successfully hosted a three-day WHO–International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop in Ghaziabad from 6–8 August 2025.

The event brought together global regulators, researchers, and industry experts to strengthen international cooperation in the safe, effective, and regulated use of herbal medicines.

Inauguration and International Participation

The workshop was formally inaugurated by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, alongside Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO-IRCH. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, WHO, and PCIM&H.

Delegations attended in a hybrid format, with representatives from Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland, Sri Lanka, and Uganda participating in person, while Brazil, Egypt, and the USA joined virtually.

India’s Leadership Role in WHO-IRCH

In his keynote address, Vaidya Kotecha underlined India’s leadership as the lead country for WHO-IRCH Working Group 1 (Safety & Regulation) and Working Group 3 (Efficacy & Intended Use).

He reaffirmed India’s commitment to:

• Enhancing global regulatory collaboration in herbal medicine

• Strengthening scientific validation for traditional medicine systems

• Sharing best practices with other member countries

Kotecha also highlighted digital innovations under the Ayush Grid, including:

• Ayush Suraksha Portal – for real-time tracking of misleading advertisements and pharmacovigilance reporting

• e-Aushadhi – an integrated IT platform for licensing and monitoring ASU&H (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani & Homoeopathy) medicines

Technical Sessions and Expert Insights

The workshop’s technical programme featured country-specific presentations on safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of herbal medicines. WHO and Ayush experts conducted lectures on:

• Standardisation and quality control of herbal products

• Regulatory frameworks and case studies from different countries

• Best practices in pre-clinical and clinical research

• Unique challenges in herbal medicine trials

• WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034

• Registration procedures for herbal medicine clinical trials

• Pharmacovigilance systems from both WHO and Indian perspectives

A special session introduced participants to the WHO Global Benchmark Tool for Herbal Medicines. Case studies, such as the safety assessment of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), illustrated how evidence-based evaluation supports international acceptance of Indian herbal remedies.

Hands-On Training and Institutional Visits

Participants received laboratory-based training at PCIM&H, gaining practical exposure to:

• Pharmacognostical identification of herbal raw materials

• Heavy and toxic metal analysis for quality assurance

Field visits included:

• National Institute of Unani Medicine in Ghaziabad

• Herbal gardens, greenhouses, and polyhouses

• Raw drug repositories and museums at PCIM&H

• All India Institute of Ayurveda, showcasing integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare

These visits highlighted India’s comprehensive herbal medicine ecosystem — from cultivation and preservation to research and clinical application.

Cultural Exchange and Wellness Showcase

A cultural evening blended India’s artistic heritage with its wellness traditions, featuring:

• Bharatanatyam performances by students of Natraha Nurtha Kala Kendram, Delhi

• Yoga demonstrations by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga

The programme aimed to promote mindfulness, holistic health, and preservation of traditional practices as part of a broader global wellness dialogue.

Commitment to Continued Collaboration

At the valedictory session, chaired by Dr. Kim Sungchol, senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, DGHS (Ayush Vertical), and PCIM&H reaffirmed the commitment of WHO-IRCH member countries to:

• Promote safe and effective herbal medicine use

• Enhance regulatory cooperation across borders

• Build capacity for quality assurance and research in traditional medicine

The Ghaziabad workshop concluded as a milestone in global herbal medicine governance, reinforcing India’s position as a thought leader and technical contributor in the field.