Capacity Building Training Programme to Strengthen Quality Standards in Traditional Medicine Sector

Officials said the initiative is designed to enhance professional excellence and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in the regulation, standardisation, and development of traditional medicine systems.

The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched a five-day Capacity Building Training Programme aimed at strengthening technical expertise, regulatory capabilities, and quality standards in the Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) medicine sector.

The training programme is being conducted from 18 to 22 May 2026 and brings together drug regulators, enforcement authorities, quality control personnel, technical experts, researchers, scientists, faculty members, and government analysts from across India working in the field of traditional systems of medicine.

Officials said the initiative is designed to enhance professional excellence and strengthen India's position as a global leader in the regulation, standardisation, and development of traditional medicine systems.

Programme Focuses on Regulatory and Technical Skill Development

The primary objective of the programme is to build the technical and professional capabilities of stakeholders associated with:

• Regulatory systems

• Quality control laboratories

• Academic institutions

• Research organisations

• Drug manufacturing industries

within the ASU&H sector.

The Ministry said the initiative seeks to improve scientific knowledge, laboratory skills, manufacturing standards, and regulatory understanding relating to traditional medicines.

The programme also aims to support the development of globally accepted quality assurance systems for India's traditional healthcare products.

Senior Officials Attend Inaugural Session

The inaugural session of the training programme was attended by several senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Ayush.

Ms. Jaspal Kaur Pradyot, Chief Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, attended the event as Chief Guest.

In her address, she praised PCIM&H for its contribution to developing quality standards for ASU&H medicines through the adoption of modern scientific techniques and advanced laboratory instruments.

She also highlighted the rich heritage and growing global acceptance of AYUSH systems of medicine.

According to Pradyot, traditional Indian medicine systems are increasingly gaining international recognition because of growing global interest in holistic healthcare and natural therapies.

Growing Global Demand for AYUSH Medicines Highlighted

Dr. Abdul Qayum, Director (Technical) and Deputy CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush, attended the programme as Guest of Honour.

He emphasised that the pharmacopoeias and formularies developed by PCIM&H are receiving increasing international recognition and acceptance.

Dr. Qayum noted that global demand for ASU&H systems and herbal medicine products continues to grow steadily, creating new opportunities for India's traditional medicine industry.

He stressed the importance of maintaining strong quality standards and scientific validation systems to support international confidence in AYUSH products.

PCIM&H Highlights Standardisation Efforts

Welcoming participants and dignitaries, Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director of PCIM&H, provided an overview of the organisation's role and activities.

He highlighted the commission's ongoing efforts in:

• Drug standardisation

• Pharmacopoeial development

• Quality control systems

• Scientific validation

• Laboratory strengthening

• Traditional medicine regulation

Dr. Singh said the organisation is working continuously to strengthen the scientific foundation and regulatory credibility of ASU&H medicines both nationally and internationally.

Participants to Receive Expert-Led Technical Training

During the five-day programme, participants will undergo specialised expert-led lectures and training sessions covering a wide range of scientific, regulatory, and manufacturing topics.

Key areas of training include:

NABL Accreditation and Quality Management Systems

Participants will receive guidance on laboratory accreditation standards and quality management protocols.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Training will focus on industry-standard manufacturing practices for safe and high-quality medicine production.

Pharmacognostic and Physico-Chemical Evaluation

Experts will cover methods for identifying and analysing medicinal plant materials and formulations.

Phytochemical and Microbiological Analysis

Participants will learn scientific methods for assessing the chemical composition and microbial safety of herbal medicines.

Pharmacological Evaluation

Training will include techniques used to assess the therapeutic properties and efficacy of ASU&H drugs.

Standardisation and Quality Control

Sessions will focus on ensuring consistency, purity, and safety in herbal and traditional medicines.

Regulatory and Pharmacopoeial Aspects

Participants will receive updates on regulatory frameworks, pharmacopoeial standards, and legal requirements governing ASU&H medicines.

Shelf-Life Studies

The programme will also cover methods used to determine the stability and shelf life of traditional medicine products.

Officials said the training is designed to combine scientific knowledge with practical implementation skills.

Hands-On Laboratory Training and Industrial Visits Included

A major component of the programme is practical laboratory exposure and industrial field visits.

Participants will receive hands-on training at PCIM&H laboratories, where they will work with modern testing instruments and scientific methodologies used in quality control and standardisation.

The programme also includes visits to leading ASU&H manufacturing facilities, including:

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

• Hamdard Laboratories India, Ghaziabad

These visits are intended to provide participants with practical exposure to:

• Modern manufacturing technologies

• Industrial quality assurance systems

• Production workflows

• Good manufacturing practices

• Advanced quality control procedures

Officials said the field visits will help bridge the gap between regulatory knowledge and industrial implementation.

Participants Represent Institutions Across India

The programme has attracted 28 participants from various organisations and institutions across the country.

Participants include:

• State Drug Controllers

• Drug Inspectors

• Professors and Faculty Members

• Research Officers

• AYUSH-accredited Drug Testing Laboratories

• Scientists and Analysts

Institutions represented include:

• National Institute of Siddha, Chennai

• Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai

• Central Drugs Laboratory, Kolkata

• Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (CCRAS), Jammu

• Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (CCRAS), Jhansi

• Various ASU&H drug manufacturing units

The Ministry said the wide representation reflects growing national interest in strengthening regulatory and scientific systems for traditional medicines.

Strengthening India's Leadership in Traditional Medicine

Officials described the training programme as an important step toward enhancing professional excellence and strengthening quality assurance mechanisms across the ASU&H sector.

The Ministry of Ayush believes that improving scientific standardisation, regulatory capacity, and manufacturing quality will help India consolidate its leadership in the global traditional medicine industry.

India has been increasingly promoting AYUSH systems internationally through:

• Scientific validation initiatives

• International collaborations

• Global wellness diplomacy

• Traditional medicine exports

• Research and standardisation efforts

The government says initiatives such as this capacity-building programme are essential for ensuring that Indian traditional medicine products meet modern global quality expectations while preserving their traditional knowledge base.