India to Host WHO–IRCH Workshop on Herbal Medicine Safety and Regulations

From August 6 to 8, 2025, India will host the prestigious WHO–International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) Workshop at Hotel Fortune District Centre, Ghaziabad. Organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), the event aims to strengthen global regulatory capacity for herbal medicines.

Global Participation and Inauguration

The workshop will be inaugurated by,  Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO–IRCH Delegates from around the world will participate, including representatives from Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in person. Brazil, Egypt, and the USA will join virtually.

Key Objectives of the Workshop

The three-day technical meet will focus on five core objectives,

• Fostering international collaboration in herbal medicine regulation.
• Enhancing safety and efficacy mechanisms for herbal products.
• Supporting regulatory convergence across countries.
• Strengthening traditional medicine systems worldwide.
• Promoting integration of herbal medicine into public health systems.

Workshop Highlights

Review of WHO–IRCH Working Groups 1 and 3 – covering safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of herbal medicines. Scientific sessions on, Pre-clinical research in herbal medicines. Regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine. Safety case studies, including a focused session on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Hands-on training in,  Herbal drug identification and Heavy metal analysis. Chemo-profiling using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) at PCIM&H laboratories.

Ayush Suraksha Programme

A significant feature of the workshop will be the introduction of the Ayush Suraksha (Pharmacovigilance) Programme. This initiative aims to strengthen safety monitoring for traditional medicines, ensuring that herbal remedies are safe, effective, and free from harmful contaminants.

Exposure to India’s Integrative Health Ecosystem

Delegates will also visit,

• PCIM&H – for insights into quality control and standardisation.
• National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad – to explore Unani medicine practices.
• All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi – a leading hub for Ayurvedic research and integrative medicine.

Global Significance

The workshop will provide a global platform for regulators, scientists, and traditional medicine practitioners to align safety standards, share best practices, and discuss the future of herbal medicine regulation. With herbal remedies gaining popularity worldwide, such collaboration is crucial for ensuring public safety and trust.