India Strengthens International Partnerships for Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance

Strategic Insights -

The Government of India has been actively participating in the World Health Organization's International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO-IRCH) 16th Annual Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting, held from October 14 to 16, 2025, brings together representatives from WHO Member States and observer organizations to discuss the harmonization of regulatory frameworks and promote international cooperation in the areas of safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal medicines. India's participation is led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, and includes representatives from the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMandH) and the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). The delegation's active participation highlights India's leadership in advancing regulatory harmonization and integration of traditional medicine systems within global health frameworks.

Key Takeaways:

  • India, through the Ministry of Ayush, is actively participating in the WHO-IRCH 16th Annual Meeting to discuss the harmonization of regulatory frameworks and promote international cooperation in the areas of safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal medicines.
  • India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (FDA) to enhance cooperation through capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, and harmonization of quality assurance practices.
  • Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, delivered a presentation on the status of herbal medicines in India, highlighting recent initiatives, policy developments, and international partnerships.
  • The release of the Proceedings of the WHO-IRCH Workshop on "Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines" and "Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines" reaffirms India's commitment to ensuring the safe, effective, and quality use of herbal medicines globally.
  • India has emerged as a key contributor in shaping international policy and regulatory cooperation in the traditional medicine domain.
  • The Ministry of Ayush, led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, is exploring avenues to strengthen international collaboration in traditional medicine with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority.
  • India has actively supported the implementation of the MoU signed with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority through capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, and harmonization of quality assurance practices.

Statistics:

  • 14th to 16th October 2025: Dates of the WHO-IRCH 16th Annual Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • 26th January 2025: Date of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance between the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIMandH).
  • 6th to 8th August 2025: Dates of the WHO-IRCH Workshop on "Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines" and "Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines" organized by the World Health Organization and hosted by the Ministry of Ayush.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Ayush, Government of India: Ministry of Ayush Strengthens International Partnerships for Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance at WHO Forum Posted On: 14 OCT 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi.