India hosted the World Integrated Medicine Forum on Regulation of Homeopathic Medicine earlier this month.
The two-day event (23-24 February, Delhi), the first of its kind, was inaugurated by Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) minister Sripad Yesso Naik.
In his address, Shri Shripad Naik said: “There is a clear need for a high-level strategic exchange platform, where stakeholders can meet outside their immediate work related context and this forum could address that need.”
He added: “In other countries Homoeopathy remains largely under-utilized due to lack of availability of homoeopathic medicines or stringent or non-existent regulatory provisions for these medicines, the Minister added.
The Delhi forum was attended by regulators from more than 15 countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who shared information on the current status, challenges and outlook regarding the regulation of homeopathic products.
Homoeopathy is one of the most followed medical systems in India. Data gathered by the Ministry of AYUSH shows the sector grew 26.3% in the past year, the highest among the other AYUSH modalities.