India is represented by a high-level delegation led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush. The team also includes Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Deputy Director General (I/c) Ayush and Director, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), and Dr. Mahesh Dadhich, CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). Their active engagement reflects India’s leadership in advancing regulatory harmonisation and integrating traditional medicine systems within global health frameworks.
Strengthening International Collaboration
On 13th October, the Indian delegation met H.E. Sandeep Chakravorty, Ambassador of India to Indonesia, to discuss India’s participation in the WHO–IRCH meeting and ways to enhance international collaboration in traditional medicine. The discussions also focused on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance signed between Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and PCIM&H in January 2025. The MoU aims to boost capacity building, technical expertise exchange, and harmonisation of quality assurance practices. Ambassador Chakravorty assured full support for implementing the MoU effectively.
India Showcases Herbal Medicine Initiatives
During the opening session, Dr. Raghu Arackal presented India’s status on herbal medicines, highlighting recent policy initiatives, international partnerships, and steps to strengthen the regulatory ecosystem. The address underscored India’s commitment to enhancing the global quality and safety standards of traditional medicines.
A notable feature of the meeting was the release of the Proceedings of the WHO–IRCH Workshop on “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-1) and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines” (Working Group-3), hosted by the Ministry of Ayush in Ghaziabad from 6th to 8th August 2025.
Global Commitment to Herbal Medicine Standards
The Jakarta meeting reaffirmed the collective commitment of WHO–IRCH member countries to ensure the safe, effective, and quality use of herbal medicines worldwide. India’s proactive participation reinforces its role as a key contributor in shaping international policies and regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine, fostering global cooperation and promoting holistic health practices.