Background: The Rise of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines have been used for centuries across various cultures, representing a meaningful portion of traditional healthcare practices globally. Increasingly,there is a growing global interest in integrating these traditional systems with modern medicine. This integration necessitates robust regulatory frameworks to ensure product quality, safety, and efficacy.

The WHO-IRCH platform was established to address the challenges of regulating herbal medicines internationally.It aims to create a collaborative environment for sharing knowledge, developing standards, and promoting the responsible use of these therapies. India, with its rich tradition of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine, plays a crucial role in this initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions about Herbal Medicine Regulation

• What is the primary goal of the WHO-IRCH workshop?

  The workshop aims to improve international regulatory cooperation for herbal medicines, focusing on safety, efficacy, and quality assurance.

• Why is India a key player in global herbal medicine regulation?

  India possesses a long-standing tradition of Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) and is committed to their scientific validation and global acceptance.

• What are the key areas of discussion at the workshop?

  Discussions will center on regulatory convergence, quality assurance standards, and the clinical relevance of herbal medicines.

• Who is participating in the WHO-IRCH workshop?

  Participants include representatives from WHO Member States,regulatory authorities,academia,research bodies,and the herbal medicine industry.

• How does this workshop contribute to the future of herbal medicine?

  It fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, leading to more harmonized regulations and increased confidence in the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines.

• What is the Ministry of Ayush’s role in this collaboration?

  the ministry of Ayush is co-hosting the workshop and reaffirming india’s commitment to the scientific validation of Ayush systems.