Jammu, Feb 20: A four-day hands-on training programme on extraction and formulation of medicinal plants under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) concluded at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu.
An official spokesperson of the institution said the programme was organised under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative reinforcing the institute’s focus on skill development in India’s expanding phytopharmaceutical and herbal sector.
He said the programme brought together 15 participants from across the country, including PhD scholars, postgraduate students, research associates and startup founders engaged in herbal and skincare product development.
The training offered comprehensive exposure to the medicinal plant value chain — from raw material handling and solvent extraction to formulation development, quality control, packaging and regulatory compliance within a cGMP-regulated pilot plant environment.
Addressing the valedictory session, Director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, stressed the need to modernise traditional medicine systems and align them with global regulatory frameworks. He encouraged participants to prioritise quality, safety, authenticity and standardisation of herbal products.
Highlighting India’s vast biodiversity in medicinal plants, Dr. Ahmed underscored the importance of integrating traditional systems such as Ayurveda with modern drug discovery frameworks, including phytopharmaceutical guidelines issued by the Government of India. He emphasised adherence to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) to enhance global acceptance of Indian formulations.
He also welcomed participant feedback and noted suggestions to extend the duration of such courses and include additional modules, including skincare formulations. He informed that the institute has already initiated long-duration skill development programmes ranging from three to six months in analytical techniques, medicinal chemistry and cGMP operations.
Earlier, Dr. Rajkishor Rai, Senior Scientist and Head of the Quality Management & Instrumentation (QMI) Division, said the programme effectively bridged the gap between academic knowledge and industrial herbal processing. Participants gained practical insights into extraction methods, solvent selection, tablet, capsule and syrup formulation, stability studies and regulatory compliance aligned with national and international standards.
He emphasised that strict adherence to cGMP ensures product quality, safety and efficacy, which are essential for regulatory acceptance by global agencies, including the WHO.
On the concluding day, participants attended a technical lecture on stability studies for AYUSH formulations, followed by a hands-on session on syrup batch formulation in the cGMP plant. The session provided real-time exposure to manufacturing protocols, in-process controls and documentation requirements.
The practical sessions were conducted by Dr. Anil Kumar Katare, Senior Principal Scientist, along with Technical Officer Ashok Bhargava, who guided trainees through formulation techniques and compliance procedures.
Participants also visited advanced QC/QA facilities, tissue culture laboratories and the institute’s Chatha farm to understand cultivation practices and the importance of high-quality raw materials for downstream processing.
Trainees appreciated the structured blend of lectures and practical sessions, particularly the step-by-step extraction processes and dosage form development exercises. Many said the industrial exposure would significantly enhance their research and entrepreneurial initiatives.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates, marking the successful completion of the four-day intensive training. Organisers said the initiative aligns with CSIR’s broader vision of building skilled manpower for India’s phytopharmaceutical, nutraceutical and herbal industries while supporting startups and young researchers in developing globally competitive products.
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