India Contributes to Global Herbal Medicine Standards at WHO Meet

During the three-day meeting, India is presenting herbal monographs and technical documents prepared by PCIM&H in collaboration with WHO experts.

India is playing an active role in shaping global standards for herbal medicines at the 5th WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia, being held in Hong Kong SAR, China, from June 16 to 18, 2026.

The meeting has brought together experts from World Health Organization (WHO) member countries to discuss scientific standards, quality benchmarks and regulatory frameworks for herbal medicines used across different healthcare systems.

Representing India at the event is Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), an institution under the Ministry of Ayush. A team of technical experts from PCIM&H is also participating virtually, contributing to discussions and supporting the review process.

Indian Herbal Standards Under Global Review

During the three-day meeting, India is presenting herbal monographs and technical documents prepared by PCIM&H in collaboration with WHO experts. These documents provide detailed scientific information on medicinal plants, including their identity, quality standards, purity requirements and methods of analysis.

The review process is expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive International Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a reference document that can help countries establish uniform standards for herbal medicines. Experts at the meeting are examining various proposals and technical inputs to ensure that herbal products meet internationally accepted benchmarks for safety, quality and effectiveness.

Boost for Traditional Indian Medicine

India's participation reflects growing international recognition of traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Homoeopathy. The Ministry of Ayush views the initiative as an important opportunity to align Indian herbal medicine standards with global scientific practices while preserving the authenticity of traditional knowledge.

The discussions are also expected to support wider acceptance of Indian medicinal plants and formulations in international markets by promoting harmonised quality standards. Officials believe that stronger global benchmarks can improve consumer confidence, facilitate regulatory cooperation and encourage the safe use of herbal medicines across different countries.

Strengthening India's Global Leadership

The involvement of PCIM&H in the WHO-led process highlights India's expanding role in advancing evidence-based traditional healthcare. By contributing technical expertise and scientific documentation, India is helping shape a framework that could influence herbal medicine regulation worldwide.

The initiative also supports the broader objective of integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems through research-backed standards and internationally recognised quality measures. As interest in natural and herbal healthcare continues to grow globally, India's contribution to the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia is expected to strengthen its position as a leading voice in traditional medicine and support efforts to promote safe, effective and high-quality herbal products around the world.