New Delhi: The Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge), Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the 9th Annual Meeting of International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) in New Delhi today. The three-day meet has been organised by the Ministry of AYUSH in New Delhi from 8-10 November, 2016. Over 33 delegates from 17 countries are participating in the three day-long Annual Meeting of IRCH.
Addressing the delegates, Shri Shripad Naik said it is very essential to develop evidence based remedies in the field of traditional medicine. It is for this reason that since long we are working on pharmacopoeias and formularies and have laid down quality standards of Ayurvedic drugs including herbal extracts, the AYUSH minister added. He said that Pharmacopoeia work has been given lot of importance and Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicine is set up to develop quality standards of Indian medicine drugs matchable with global requirements of quality. Shri Naik said that regulatory laws for education, practice and drugs are in place and are amended and reinforced from time to time in accordance with the emerging needs and requirements.
He further added that the traditional systems of medicine in India have reached a stage wherefrom we are able to look ahead for globalisation of these systems and offer technical support and inputs to other countries in developing guidelines or norms for traditional medicine. India has signed 6 MoUs with other countries over the last two years for improving collaboration in the field of traditional medicine, Shri Shripad Naik explained.
Secretary, AYUSH, Shri Ajit Mohan Sharan, welcomed the participating delegates. Sh Sharan said that IRCH has been working in the direction of promoting and facilitating the safe use of herbal medicines globally and strengthening cooperation between national regulatory authorities by sharing experience, information and knowledge related to the regulation, quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines in its endeavour to protect and promote public health and safety through improved regulation for herbal medicine across the globe. He further said that Government of India offers active support and is committed to achieve the objectives of IRCH.
WHO Representative to India, Dr. Henk Bekedam, said that the commitment and efforts of India in accelerating this sector is commendable. The wholistic approach of Ayurveda can make a global impact like Yoga, he added. Highlighting the issues of safety and quality of traditional medicine, Dr Henk said that they require proper regulation. Conferences like those of IRCH go a long way in knowledge sharing with WHO as well as between member countries, he said.
Drug Controller General of India Dr. G.N. Singh, and Regional Director for South-East Asia, WHO, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal also emphasised the need to set standards for traditional medicine and enforce Regulatory laws and develop a sciencebased approach in order to maintain quality and safe use of traditional medicines.
International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH), established in 2006, is a global network of regulatory authorities created by World Health Organization (WHO) responsible for regulation of herbal medicines.
The objectives of IRCH meeting are to Globally promote and facilitate the safe use of herbal medicines, through regional initiatives, sharing information and fostering dialogue; facilitate and strengthen cooperation between national regulatory authorities by sharing experience, information and knowledge related to the regulation, quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines; further discuss existing requirements and standards to promote the regulation, quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines; recommend future activities to WHO related to the quality and safety of herbal medicines; refer issues to the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities and other bodies, where ever needed, for further discussion related to the quality and safety of herbal medicines.
