WHO–IRCH International Workshop Begins in PCIM&H, Ghaziabad
Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO–IRCH and Head of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine at WHO
India Hosts Global Experts to Advance Regulatory Convergence in the Herbal Medicine Sector
The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, hosted the inaugural session of the WHO–IRCH Workshops on “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-1) and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-3) at its headquarters in Ghaziabad today. The three-day global technical workshop is being organised jointly by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Bringing together experts from across WHO Member States and Observer States, the workshops aim to deliberate on key aspects such as regulatory convergence, quality assurance, and the clinical relevance of herbal medicines in traditional systems of healthcare.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha reaffirmed India’s commitment to scientific validation and global acceptance of Ayush systems. He stated, “As the lead country for Working Group 1 and Working Group 3, India remains deeply engaged in enhancing international regulatory cooperation through the WHO–IRCH platform.”
Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO–IRCH and Head of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine at WHO, emphasised the importance of global coordination in strengthening safety, quality, and efficacy standards in herbal medicine.
Addressing the gathering as the Guest of Honour, Ms. Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the role of Indian regulatory and pharmacopoeial institutions in shaping international benchmarks in traditional medicine.
Dr. Raghu Arackal, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush, delivered the Welcome Address and underlined India’s leadership in the development of pharmacopoeial standards and evidence-based traditional medicine.
Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director, PCIM&H, expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of WHO, institutional partners, and international delegates.
The workshops have drawn participation from multiple countries under the WHO–IRCH umbrella, including:
EURO Region: Poland
SEARO Region: Nepal, Bhutan
WPRO Region: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Indonesia
AMRO Region: Cuba
EMRO Region: Iran
Observer States: Sri Lanka, Paraguay
Moreover, delegates from the United States, Egypt, and Brazil are also participating virtually.
The agenda includes hands-on training sessions in herbal drug standardisation techniques such as pharmacognostic, chemical, and elemental analysis. Site visits to prominent Ayush institutions are also planned to provide international participants with first-hand exposure to clinical, academic, and manufacturing practices.
Scheduled from 6th to 8th August 2025, the workshops are being attended by senior representatives from WHO Member States, regulatory authorities, academia, research bodies, and the herbal medicine industry.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.
