Problems and Prospects for Good Manufacturing Practice for Herbal Drugs in Indian Systems of Medicine

Abstract

The concept of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is well known to every pharmaceutical company in the world. Many countries express GMP in regulations, codes, and guidelines. In this era of worldwide herbal drug revolution, there is a need to implement GMP in the production of medicinal products from natural resources (herbal drugs). In addition to the widespread use of phytomedicine in developing countries for historical and cultural reasons, developed countries have been increasingly using alternative and complimentary medicine for their potential therapeutic efficacy. To meet the worldwide demand for herbal drugs, it is essential to maintain GMP. GMP for herbal drugs covers their cultivation in the field to their preparation in different formulations with the crude powder, the extract, or purified components. The objectives of GMP for herbal drugs are generally stated in terms of desired achievements in several areas of manufacture and control, including cultivation and collection. India has a wide biodiversity and many herbal drugs from different regions constitute a major part of the health care system. GMP for herbal drugs in India is necessary for quality control of the production and development of herbal drugs, which includes primarily specific courses of action or the procedures to be followed in almost all steps of herbal drug production.