PCIM&H Completes National Training to Boost ASU&H Drug Quality Standards

The intensive five-day programme integrated expert-led lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions, demonstrations, and industry exposure visits.

The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) under the Ministry of Ayush has successfully concluded its five-day National Capacity Building Training Programme aimed at strengthening India’s regulatory, quality assurance and standardization capabilities in the Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drug sector. Held from 24–28 November 2025, the programme equipped Drug Enforcement Officers, Quality Control personnel and drug manufacturers with advanced knowledge of scientific, regulatory and pharmacopoeial standards required for safe and effective ASU&H drug production.

A Comprehensive Training for a Growing Sector

The intensive five-day programme integrated expert-led lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions, demonstrations, and industry exposure visits. Designed by PCIM&H to enhance nationwide uniformity in quality standards, the training reflects India’s continued push for global recognition of its traditional medicine systems.

The ASU&H sector has witnessed rapid growth in domestic and export markets over the past decade, making regulatory strengthening and scientific validation essential. PCIM&H’s initiative directly supports this national goal by upgrading skills and standards across the entire value chain—from raw material authentication to manufacturing oversight and post-market surveillance.

Day-Wise Highlights of the Programme

Day 1 & 2: Technical Foundations Participants attended detailed sessions on:

• NABL Accreditation and Quality Management Systems

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

• Pharmacognostic, Physico-chemical and Phytochemical Evaluations

• Modern Quality Control Approaches for Herbal Drugs

Experts explained how global quality benchmarks can be integrated into the ASU&H regulatory framework, with emphasis on reproducibility, standard operating procedures, and validated testing methods.

Day 3: Regulations and Industry Visits Training modules included in-depth discussions on:

• Shelf-life studies of ASU&H medicines

• Evolving regulatory frameworks under Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI

Participants then undertook exposure visits to leading manufacturing facilities:

• Dr. Willmar Schwabe India Pvt. Ltd., Noida

• Hamdard Laboratories, Ghaziabad

These visits helped trainees observe live demonstration of industrial-scale production processes, quality testing facilities, documentation systems and industry best practices.

Day 4: Microbiology, Pharmacology & Hands-on Learning Day four featured sessions on:

• Microbiological and pharmacological evaluation

• Quality assessment of herbal and herbo-mineral drugs

• Regulatory procedures and compliance

Hands-on laboratory-based training improved participants’ practical skills in botanical identification, microbial limit testing, contamination control and analytical techniques. A field visit to an Herbal Garden provided insights into raw drug sourcing, plant authentication and conservation practices.

Day 5: Pharmacopoeial Standards & Modern Instrumentation The concluding day covered:

• Pharmacopoeial frameworks and monograph development

• Standardization of metal and mineral-based formulations

• Use of modern analytical instruments such as HPTLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS and FTIR in ASU&H drug testing

Experts underscored the need for scientific rigor in validating traditional formulations and ensuring consistency between batches.

Participation from Across India

A total of 37 participants, including officials from state drug regulatory authorities, academic institutions, research councils and pharmaceutical industries, took part in the training. Their diverse backgrounds enriched discussions and helped build a national network of trained professionals responsible for safeguarding ASU&H drug quality.

Valedictory Session: Emphasis on Global Standards

The valedictory ceremony was graced by:

• Prof. (Dr.) B. L. Mehra, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Chief Guest)

• Dr. Jai Prakash, Senior Principal Scientific Officer & Officer-in-Charge, PvPI

• Dr. Ravinder Singh, Director, FSSAI

• Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director, PCIM&H

Dignitaries stressed that India’s traditional medical systems can achieve global acceptance only through scientific validation, rigorous quality control, and harmonization with international standards. They also emphasized the growing role of pharmacovigilance and post-market surveillance in ensuring patient safety.

Strengthening India’s Traditional Medicine Ecosystem

Participants expressed strong appreciation for the programme, noting that the blend of theory, practical exposure, and industrial visits significantly improved their understanding of:

• Pharmacopoeial standards

• Good Manufacturing Practices

• Regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements

• Advanced laboratory techniques

The initiative is expected to play a critical role in supporting India’s ambition to establish a robust national quality assurance system for ASU&H drugs and expand their credibility in global markets.

By building a cadre of trained professionals across states and institutions, PCIM&H continues to lead the way in modernizing India’s traditional medicine sector while preserving its authenticity, safety and therapeutic integrity.