India Takes Center Stage at WHO-IRCH Meeting, Solidifying Global Leadership in Traditional Medicine

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization - International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO-IRCH) 16th Annual Meeting brought together representatives from WHO Member States and observer organizations in Jakarta, Indonesia, to deliberate on regulatory frameworks and international cooperation in herbal medicine safety, quality, and efficacy. India, led by a high-level delegation, actively participated in the meeting, highlighting the country's commitment to regulatory harmonization and integration of traditional medicine systems within global health frameworks.

Key Takeaways:

  • India participated in the WHO-IRCH 16th Annual Meeting with a high-level delegation, led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
  • The delegation included Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Deputy Director General (I/c), Ayush, and Director, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), and Dr. Mahesh Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).
  • India and Indonesia signed a 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 & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush, signed on 26th January 2025.
  • The MoU aims to enhance cooperation through capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, and harmonization of quality assurance practices.
  • Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty assured active support and coordination by the Embassy of India in Jakarta to facilitate the effective implementation of the MoU.
  • Dr. Raghu Arackal delivered a presentation on the status of herbal medicines in India, highlighting recent initiatives, policy developments, and international partnerships led by the Ministry of Ayush.
  • The meeting featured 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".
  • India continues to emerge as a key contributor in shaping international policy and regulatory cooperation in the traditional medicine domain.

Statistics:

  • The WHO-IRCH 16th Annual Meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 14th to 16th October 2025.
  • The meeting brought together representatives from WHO Member States and observer organizations to deliberate on regulatory frameworks and international cooperation in herbal medicine safety, quality, and efficacy.
  • India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia on Cooperation in the Field of Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance.
  • The MoU was signed on 26th January 2025 between the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of Ayush.
  • The Workshop on "Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines" and "Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines" was organized by the World Health Organization and hosted by the Ministry of Ayush with support from PCIM&H, held from 6th to 8th August 2025 in Ghaziabad, India.

Sources:

  • Press release issued by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
  • World Health Organization - International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO-IRCH) website.
  • Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
  • Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (FDA).
  • Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H).
  • Embassy of India in Jakarta, Indonesia.