At THE WEEK’s AYUSH Conclave, “Ayush for the World”, experts from across the industry underscored the importance of quality, standardisation, and regulatory clarity in strengthening India’s traditional medicine systems.
Speaking at a panel discussion on ensuring product quality moderated by Majio Abraham, Senior Assistant News Editor at THE WEEK, Dr Anoop, Managing Director of AVA Healthcare, highlighted the importance of maintaining consistency across the production chain. He noted that his company, with a legacy of over 56 years, places strong emphasis on the standardisation of raw materials and finished products. From the selection of herbs to packaging and product formulation, every stage is carefully monitored, especially for products that make medicinal claims. He added that the company follows established manufacturing practices and invests in research and development through laboratories.
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Dr Babu U.V., Director of Research and Development at Himalaya Wellness, said that quality begins at the source rather than in laboratories. He stressed that the cultivation and collection of herbs, soil conditions, and the minimum presence of contaminants such as heavy metals play a critical role in determining product quality. Traceability, he said, is essential, from origin to processing.
He added that for Indian systems of medicine to gain global acceptance, authenticity must remain the foundation. Highlighting consumer safety, he pointed to the importance of customer feedback and said the company actively monitors adverse reactions through a dedicated pharmaco-vigilance system.
"Customer feedback is of utmost importance to us. We have established a pharmacovigilance system to stay in touch with customers via email and other channels and monitor for adverse reactions. These are addressed promptly across the country. We take every piece of feedback seriously whenever we receive it," Babu says.
Dr Baidyanath Mishra, Head of Research and Development at Dabur, drew attention to the challenges posed by climatic variations, pollution, and natural toxicity in herbal products. He said companies must adhere to structured guidelines. He emphasised the importance of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices to minimise contamination, noting that while risks cannot be eliminated entirely, they can be significantly reduced through scientific processes and expert oversight.
On regulation, Mishra advocated for a unified national framework, pointing out that varying state-level requirements create hurdles in product formulation and licensing. A single regulatory system, he suggested, would streamline processes and support industry growth.
Dr Anita Balachander from Jammi Clinic cautioned against overly rigid standardisation. She argued that since medicinal plants grow in diverse soil and climatic conditions, expecting complete uniformity is impractical. While supporting regulation, she emphasised the need for flexibility within the framework.
The discussion highlighted that balancing quality, authenticity, and regulatory coherence will be key to positioning Ayush products on the global stage.