India highlighted its evolving regulatory framework and evidence-based policy initiatives in traditional medicine at the 16th annual meeting of the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO-IRCH). The event, held from October 14–16 in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together global authorities and experts to strengthen international cooperation and harmonisation in the regulation of herbal medicines, according to a statement from the Ministry of Ayush. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor, Union Ministry of Ayush.
Active Participation in Technical Sessions
On the second day of the meeting, the Indian delegation played a key role in technical sessions, presenting insights from prior workshops and demonstrating India’s leadership in herbal medicine regulation.
Earlier in August 2025, the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with WHO and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), hosted two preparatory workshops in Ghaziabad, India.
Dr. Raghu Arackal presented the Workshop Report on “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines (Working Group-3)”, highlighting India’s evidence-based approaches and regulatory evolution.
Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director, PCIM&H, shared the Workshop Report on “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines (Working Group-1)”, along with a dedicated presentation on India’s perspective on herbal medicine safety and regulation.
Focus on Quality, Standardisation, and Sustainability
Dr. Mahesh Dadhich, CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), co-presented a session on “Quality Control, Standardisation and Sustainability of Herbal Medicines” with Dr. Raman. He also contributed to discussions on the sustainable use of medicinal plants and stressed the need for international collaboration to ensure quality control and standardisation.
India’s Global Role in Herbal Medicine
Through its comprehensive contributions, India reinforced its pivotal role in shaping global standards for the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines. As reported by dailypioneer.com, the delegation’s presentations and active engagement underscored India’s commitment to promoting evidence-based policies and fostering international cooperation in traditional medicine regulation.