BRICS Health Track Task Force to Strengthen Herbal Research

The 18th BRICS summit concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which outlines a clear roadmap for joint work in traditional, complementary and integrated medicine (TCIM). An expert task force, to be formed under the BRICS Health Track, will serve as a platform for member states to coordinate research on medicinal plants and herbal formulations.

Key priorities include expanding collaborative studies on botanicals used for treatment and prevention, and leveraging the shared BRICS pharmacopoeia to develop safe, cost‑effective health products. The declaration emphasizes the need for evidence‑based approaches tailored to each nation's regulatory context.

Central Minister Prataprav Jadhav called the endorsement of TCIM a major advance for global health cooperation, noting that the task force will enable knowledge sharing, bolster scientific validation and promote rigorous quality assurance across the bloc.

The AYUSH Ministry highlighted that the task force will focus on consolidating evidence, strengthening research partnerships, and addressing quality, safety and regulatory challenges to ensure the credibility of traditional medicines.