Mumbai: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization – South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO), inaugurated a four-day Regional Workshop on WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Herbal Medicines in Mumbai on August 19, 2025. The event, held at the RRAP-Central Ayurveda Research Institute (RRAP-CARI), signals a major stride in advancing quality standards for herbal drug development across Asia.
International Participation and Technical Rigor
The workshop brings together 19 international delegates from countries including Bhutan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, alongside Indian experts and officials. Over four days, participants will engage in diverse technical sessions on GMP/GLP protocols, delivered through six comprehensive modules by an esteemed panel of scientists, regulators, and industry veterans such as Dr. Sudipt Dey (Former Dy. DC, CDSCO) and Dr. Satyabrata Maiti (Former Director, ICMR).
Key highlights include planned exposure visits to two WHO-GMP-certified herbal pharmaceutical units, Emami (Silvassa, Daman), and Zandu FHC farms (Amabch, Gujarat), giving delegates hands-on insight into India’s pharmaceutical production standards.
Leadership Insights and Ongoing Collaboration
Inaugurating the workshop, Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, was joined by Dr. Pavan Godatwar (WHO-SEARO) and Dr. C.K. Katiyar (Emami, India), with Dr. Catharina Boehme (Officer in Charge, WHO-SEARO) addressing participants virtually. Dr. Boehme underscored the global imperative of quality, safety, and efficacy in herbal medicines, spotlighting India’s pivotal contribution to the sector.
Dr. Pavan Godatwar emphasized that this workshop is a platform for India to showcase its robust WHO-GMP manufacturing standards among South-East Asian countries. Dr. Raman Singh, Director, PCIM&H, briefed attendees on the sector’s recent developments and the successful conclusion of WHO-IRCH workshops hosted by the Ministry of Ayush.
Advancing Quality in Traditional Medicines
The regional workshop underlines the Ministry of Ayush’s ongoing efforts to cement India’s place as a hub for quality herbal drug development through international partnerships and adherence to rigorous WHO guidelines. Sessions aim to promote harmonized standards and foster collaboration for the safe, effective, and globalized practice of traditional medicine.
Conclusion
This Mumbai-based gathering further elevates India’s leadership in the global herbal drug sector, supporting the broader vision of safe and quality-driven traditional medicine practices for public health in South-East Asia and beyond.
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Source: PIB
