27th Pharmaceuticals and Traditional Medicines Technical Committee Meeting in Phuentsholing

The National Biodiversity Centre, in collaboration with the Bhutan Standards Bureau, successfully convened the 27th Pharmaceuticals and Traditional Medicines Technical Committee (TC-05) Meeting in Phuentsholing from 6-9 January 2026. The meeting focused on the development of the Bhutan Standard for Mugwort Foot Soaking Bags, an important initiative aimed at strengthening quality assurance and regulatory oversight for traditional wellness products in Bhutan.

The meeting’s primary objective was to establish a clear and nationally recognised standard that ensures the quality, safety, and consistency of Mugwort Foot Soak Bags. To achieve this, committee members reviewed and deliberated on relevant international and national reference documents, including ISO standards, WHO guidelines, and pharmacopoeial references, providing a strong technical basis for the draft standard. These discussions were further informed by a prior site visit to Mugwort Solutions in Thimphu, where members observed production processes and aligned standard requirements with on-the-ground practices.

The draft Bhutan Standard developed through these deliberations is designed to guide the entire production chain, from raw material handling and processing to packaging. Once endorsed and published by the Bhutan Standards Bureau Governing Body, the standard is expected to support regulatory compliance, promote good manufacturing practices, and enhance consumer confidence in Mugwort Foot Soak products.

The standard will serve as a practical framework for the Mugwort Solutions to strengthen product reliability, improve process control, and demonstrate conformity with national requirements. The Committee further recommended the development and implementation of comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with the standard, to ensure consistent quality, safety, traceability, and sustainable production practices.

The meeting, supported by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) under the project Scaling Bioprospecting as Nature-based Solutions for Green Mountain Livelihoods, marked a significant milestone in formalising standards for nature-based products (NbPs) and supporting the sustainable growth of Mugwort-based enterprises in Bhutan.