Government Schemes 22 September 2026 · Event date: 21 September 2026

Sowa-Rigpa Working Group Holds First Meeting Under PCIM&H

Sowa-Rigpa Working Group Holds First Meeting Under PCIM&H
Official visual from the source release · Source: Press Information Bureau

The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine Homoeopathy hosted the first meeting of the Sowa-Rigpa Working Group in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Chaired by Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, the meeting focused on developing Sowa-Rigpa Pharmacopoeias, Formularies, and quality assurance standards under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. This initiative aims to standardise traditional medicines within the Indian government's regulatory framework.

Why It Matters

This is relevant for exam candidates as it highlights institutional developments in traditional medicine regulation under the Ministry of Ayush.

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In Simple Words

The Sowa-Rigpa Working Group held its very first meeting on September 18 at PCIM&H in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, chaired by Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya. The meeting marks a key development in creating official Pharmacopoeias and Formularies for the Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine in India.

Experts discussed a step-wise action plan to support regulatory provisions, quality assurance, and standardisation of Sowa-Rigpa drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The PCIM&H, operating under the Ministry of Ayush, will oversee this work to ensure proper quality standards for traditional medicines.

Key Points

  • The first meeting of the Sowa-Rigpa Working Group was held on September 18.
  • The meeting took place at PCIM&H in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, Director of PCIM&H, chaired the meeting.
  • Sowa-Rigpa was represented by four experts including Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, Leh.
  • The Working Group will develop Pharmacopoeias, Formularies, and statutory and non-statutory documents.
  • The initiative follows the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its Rules.
  • PCIM&H is a subordinate office under the Ministry of Ayush.
  • PCIM&H functions as the Central Drug Testing-cum-Appellate Laboratory for Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy.

Exam Angle

Ministry
Ministry of Ayush
Location of meeting
PCIM&H, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
Chairperson
Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya
Governing Act
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

A. Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, Director, PCIM&H

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