India, WHO-SEARO Host Regional Workshop on GMP Standards for Herbal Medicines

The workshop has drawn 19 international delegates from Bhutan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, alongside a wide array of Indian experts and practitioners.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization – South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO), has inaugurated a four-day “Regional Workshop on WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Herbal Medicines”. The workshop, being held from 19–22 August 2025 at the RRAP–Central Ayurveda Research Institute (RRAP-CARI), Mumbai, brings together Indian and international experts to advance the global dialogue on quality standards in traditional medicine.

Inaugural Session

The workshop was formally inaugurated by Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, Dr. Pavan Godatwar, Technical Officer at WHO (SEARO), and Dr. C.K. Katiyar, Former Director, Emami (India). The event was attended by senior officials from CCRAS, WHO, PCIM&H, and RRAP-CARI.

Addressing participants via video message, Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer in Charge, WHO-SEARO, underscored the importance of ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines used in traditional systems worldwide. She emphasized that harmonized GMP standards are critical for building global trust and advancing the acceptance of herbal formulations.

Participation from South-East Asia

The workshop has drawn 19 international delegates from Bhutan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, alongside a wide array of Indian experts and practitioners. The diverse representation reflects the growing regional interest in strengthening regulatory frameworks and quality control for herbal medicines.

Technical Sessions and Expert Contributions

Over the course of four days, participants will engage in six specialized modules focusing on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). These sessions will be delivered by a panel of distinguished scientists and regulatory officials, including:

• Dr. Sudipt Dey, Former Deputy Drug Controller, CDSCO, Government of India.

• Dr. Satyabrata Maiti, Former Director, ICMR, Government of India.

The technical modules are designed to enhance understanding of regulatory compliance, scientific validation, and global best practices in herbal medicine production.

Exposure Visits

To complement the classroom learning, participants will also undertake field visits to leading WHO-GMP certified pharmaceutical units specializing in herbal medicines. Visits are planned to Emami at Silvassa (Daman) and Zandu FHC farms at Amabch, Gujarat, offering delegates practical insights into manufacturing processes, supply chain standards, and quality assurance mechanisms.

India Showcasing Leadership in Herbal Drug Standards

In his keynote address, Dr. Pavan Godatwar of WHO-SEARO highlighted that the workshop is a platform to showcase India’s advancements in GMP-certified herbal drug production and to share best practices with regional counterparts.

Dr. Raman Singh, Director of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), briefed delegates on the latest sectoral developments and highlighted India’s successful hosting of the WHO-IRCH workshops, which also focused on regulatory strengthening in traditional medicine.

Aligning with Ayush Vision

Ministerial officials stressed that the workshop is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Ayush to ensure the scientific credibility, safety, and global recognition of Indian traditional medicine systems. The initiative directly supports the Ministry’s objectives of quality drug development, international harmonization of standards, and expansion of India’s Ayush-based healthcare solutions.

Significance for Global Herbal Medicine Sector

The workshop represents a significant milestone for the global herbal medicine industry, which faces challenges of standardization, quality assurance, and regulatory harmonization. By bringing together stakeholders from across South-East Asia, the initiative contributes to:

• Strengthening international collaboration in herbal medicine regulation.

• Promoting evidence-based practices in traditional medicine.

• Enhancing the credibility and competitiveness of Ayurvedic and herbal products in global markets.

The Mumbai workshop not only strengthens India’s leadership in the field of traditional medicine but also reflects a shared regional commitment to ensuring that herbal medicines meet global safety and quality benchmarks.

With WHO and Ayush working in tandem, the initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on regulatory frameworks, industry standards, and international cooperation in the field of herbal and traditional medicine.