On 20 May 2026, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published the meeting report of the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), which met from 4 to 6 May 2026. The report details the adoption of new European Union herbal monographs, guidelines, and other activities aimed at harmonising the assessment of herbal medicinal products across member states.
During the meeting, the HMPC finalised several monographs for well-established and traditional use herbal substances, including updates to existing entries and new substances. These monographs provide a scientific basis for the safe and effective use of herbal medicines, impacting manufacturers, national competent authorities, and healthcare professionals. The committee also adopted a revised guideline on the quality of herbal medicinal products, which sets standards for manufacturing and control.
Manufacturers of herbal medicinal products will need to align their dossiers with the updated monographs and quality guidelines, potentially requiring additional testing or documentation. National competent authorities will use these documents as reference for marketing authorisation applications, streamlining assessment processes. Healthcare professionals and patients benefit from clearer information on efficacy and safety. The committee also discussed ongoing work on a guideline for the assessment of clinical safety and efficacy of traditional herbal medicinal products, which is expected to be finalised later in 2026.
No prior coverage of this meeting exists in recent months. The HMPC meeting report is a routine publication following each committee session, and the adopted documents will be published on the EMA website in due course.
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