Ghaziabad — In a significant move to harmonize global standards in traditional and herbal medicine, the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), inaugurated a three-day global technical workshop at the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) headquarters in Ghaziabad today.
The workshops, hosted under the umbrella of the WHO International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH), focus on two key themes: “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-1) and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-3). India is leading both working groups, reaffirming its pivotal role in shaping the global regulatory landscape for herbal and traditional medicine systems.
Strengthening Global Regulatory Convergence
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, while delivering the keynote address, emphasized India’s scientific leadership and dedication to evidence-based validation of Ayush systems. “India remains deeply engaged in advancing global regulatory convergence through the WHO–IRCH platform. These discussions are vital for ensuring the safety, quality, and clinical relevance of herbal medicines worldwide,” he said.
Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson of WHO–IRCH and Head of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine at WHO, stressed the need for stronger international coordination to establish uniform safety and quality benchmarks. “Global convergence is essential to build trust and efficacy in traditional medicine practices across borders,” he noted.
Broad International Participation
The workshops have drawn participation from WHO Member States and Observer States representing multiple regions:
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EURO Region: Poland
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SEARO Region: Nepal, Bhutan
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WPRO Region: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Indonesia
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AMRO Region: Cuba
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EMRO Region: Iran
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Observer States: Sri Lanka, Paraguay
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Virtual Participants: United States, Egypt, Brazil
Senior government officials, scientists, pharmacopoeial experts, and regulators are attending the workshop both in-person and virtually.
Technical Sessions & Site Visits
The agenda includes in-depth hands-on training in pharmacognostic, chemical, and elemental analysis for herbal drug standardisation. Site visits to leading Ayush institutions have also been planned, offering international delegates a glimpse into India’s clinical, manufacturing, and academic excellence in traditional medicine.
Ms. Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, praised the contribution of Indian institutions in influencing global standards, while Dr. Raghu Arackal, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted India’s role in developing robust pharmacopoeial frameworks. Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director, PCIM&H, acknowledged WHO and international delegates for their support and participation.
A Step Towards Global Integration
The three-day workshop, scheduled from 6th to 8th August 2025, is expected to foster stronger partnerships, share best practices, and further India’s role in making Ayush systems globally accepted, trusted, and integrated with contemporary health frameworks.
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