**Summary:**
The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIMH), conducted a three-day WHO International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop in Ghaziabad from August 6th to 8th, 2025. The workshop focused on the safety, regulation, and efficacy of herbal medicines, and included participants from 17 countries, both physically and virtually.
Key highlights included India's role as the lead country for WHO IRCH Working Group 1 (Safety Regulation) and Working Group 3 (Efficacy Intended Use), as emphasized by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. The Ministry of Ayush showcased digital initiatives under the Ayush Grid, specifically the Ayush Suraksha Portal for real-time tracking of misleading advertisements and pharmacovigilance, and eAushadhi, an integrated IT platform for licensing of ASUH (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani & Homoeopathy) medicines.
The workshop featured country presentations, expert lectures on standardization and quality control, regulatory case studies, best practices in preclinical and clinical research, and discussions on the WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 and the WHO Global Benchmark Tool for Herbal Medicines. Practical training at PCIMH familiarized participants with herbal drug standardization techniques, including pharmacognostical identification and heavy/toxic metal analysis. Exposure visits were organized to various institutions, including the National Institute of Unani Medicine and the All India Institute of Ayurveda. A cultural program highlighted India's wellness and cultural heritage.
The workshop concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration among WHO IRCH member countries to promote the safe, effective, and regulated use of herbal medicines globally. The valedictory session was chaired by Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHOIRCH, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, DGHS Ayush Vertical, and PCIMH.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ayush: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of traditional medicine systems.
World Health Organization: A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: City in Uttar Pradesh, India; location of the AYUSH WHOIRCH Workshop.
Ayush Suraksha Portal: A digital initiative under Ayush Grid for realtime tracking of misleading advertisements and pharmacovigilance.
eAushadhi: An integrated IT platform for licensing of ASUH medicines, under the Ayush Grid.
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine Homoeopathy: An organization supporting the Ministry of Ayush in regulating and standardizing Indian traditional medicine.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha: Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush who inaugurated the workshop.
WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034: World Health Organization's strategy related to traditional medicine.
AYUSH
WHO–IRCH Workshop on Safety, Regulation, and
Efficacy of Herbal Medicines Concludes in
Ghaziabad
Ministry of Ayush Showcases Digital Initiatives –
Ayush Suraksha Portal and e-Aushadhi – for
Strengthening Regulation
Participants from 17 Countries Engage in Technical
Sessions, Training, and Cultural Exchange
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 6:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), organised a three-day
WHO–International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop at Ghaziabad from 6th
to 8th August, 2025.
The workshop was inaugurated by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Kim
Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO-IRCH, in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, WHO,
and PCIM&H. Delegations from Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland,
Sri Lanka and Uganda participated physically, while Brazil, Egypt, and the USA joined virtually.
In his inaugural address, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted India’s leadership as the lead country for WHO-
IRCH Working Group 1 on Safety & Regulation and Working Group 3 on Efficacy & Intended Use. He
reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing global regulatory cooperation in the herbal medicines sector. He
also outlined key digital initiatives under the Ayush Grid, including the Ayush Suraksha Portal for real-time
tracking of misleading advertisements and pharmacovigilance, and e-Aushadhi, an integrated IT platform for
licensing of ASU&H medicines.
Technical Sessions
The workshop featured detailed country presentations on safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of
herbal medicines. Expert lectures covered standardisation and quality control of herbal medicines, regulatory
case studies, best practices in pre-clinical research, unique scenarios in herbal medicine research, WHO’s
Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, registration of clinical trials, best practices in clinical trials, and
pharmacovigilance from both WHO and Ayush perspectives. Sessions also included discussions on the WHO
Global Benchmark Tool for Herbal Medicines and case studies on the safety of Ashwagandha (Withania
somnifera).
Hands-on Training and Exposure Visits
Hands-on laboratory training at PCIM&H familiarised participants with herbal drug standardisation
techniques, including pharmacognostical identification and heavy/toxic metal analysis. Exposure visits wereorganised to the National Institute of Unani Medicine in Ghaziabad, herbal gardens, greenhouses, polyhouses,
raw drug repositories, museums at PCIM&H, and the All India Institute of Ayurveda, offering insights into
India’s integrative health systems.
Cultural Exchange
A cultural evening showcased India’s wellness and cultural heritage through Bharatanatyam performances by
students of Natraha Nurtha Kala Kendram, Delhi, and yoga demonstrations by the Morarji Desai National
Institute of Yoga. The event promoted mindfulness, wellness, and the preservation of traditional practices.
The valedictory session was chaired by Dr. Kim Sungchol, along with senior officials from the Ministry of
Ayush, DGHS (Ayush Vertical), and PCIM&H. The workshop concluded with a reaffirmation of continued
collaboration among WHO-IRCH member countries to promote safe, effective, and regulated use of herbal
medicines worldwide.
***
MV/GS/SG
(Release ID: 2154348)