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Govt Signs MoUs to Boost Drug Quality at Jan Aushadhi Kendras

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has signed two MoUs to strengthen drug quality and safety at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The first MoU with PMBI ensures random quality testing of medicines and promotes rational use through the National Formulary of India. The second MoU with NIPER Hajipur focuses on research collaboration in impurity profiling and analytical methods for biologics. Both agreements aim to enhance patient safety, pharmacovigilance, and innovation in pharmaceutical standards.

Key Points: MoUs Signed to Strengthen Medicine Quality at Jan Aushadhi Kendras

  • MoU between IPC and PMBI to test Jan Aushadhi medicine batches
  • Collaboration to promote National Formulary of India use
  • Pharmacovigilance strengthened with QR codes and helpline
  • IPC-NIPER MoU focuses on research and impurity profiling
2 min read

Govt inks MoUs to strengthen quality of medicines at Jan Aushadhi kendras

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission signs MoUs with PMBI and NIPER to enhance drug quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, and research collaboration at Jan Aushadhi centres.

"The MoU between IPC and PMBI aims to enhance the quality assurance framework for medicines distributed through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras - Ministry of Health"

New Delhi, April 24

To strengthen drug quality assurance, research collaboration and pharmacovigilance, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says the MoU between IPC and PMBI aims to enhance the quality assurance framework for medicines distributed through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs). Under the agreement, PMBI may submit randomly selected batches of Jan Aushadhi medicines to IPC for quality testing.

The collaboration will also promote the use of the National Formulary of India (NFI) across PMBJKs to ensure rational use of medicines. In addition, it seeks to strengthen pharmacovigilance by displaying the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code and toll-free helpline number at these centres to encourage reporting of adverse drug reactions and improve patient safety.

IPC and PMBI will also jointly organise sensitisation, awareness and training programmes for pharmacists and stakeholders on rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting tools, and the role of pharmacists in safeguarding public health.

Separately, the MoU between IPC and NIPER Hajipur focuses on collaboration in research, academic exchange and capacity building in pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare products.

The partnership will include joint research programmes on impurity profiling, including genotoxic impurities such as nitrosamines, and their correlation with adverse drug reaction data to establish pharmacopoeial limits.

It will also focus on the development of analytical methods, quality control protocols and reference standards for biologics, biosimilars and emerging cell and gene therapy products for inclusion in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Both institutions will collaborate on training programmes, workshops and seminars, along with faculty exchange initiatives and sharing of analytical facilities. Internship and fellowship opportunities, as well as joint publication of research papers and training materials, will also be part of the collaboration.

The agreements aim to strengthen quality assurance, patient safety, rational use of medicines and innovation in pharmaceutical standards, ministry stated.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Good move by the government. Impurity profiling for genotoxic substances like nitrosamines shows they're taking international quality standards seriously. The focus on biosimilars and cell therapies is impressive for an emerging market. However, I hope the training programmes mentioned aren't just on paper — implementation on the ground is key. 👍
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Sneha F
As someone who regularly buys from Jan Aushadhi kendras, this is reassuring. My mother takes blood pressure medicine from there and I've always wondered about the quality control. The pharmacovigilance helpline and QR code are practical additions. But why only "randomly selected batches"? Shouldn't all batches be tested? Common sense, yaar.
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Nikhil C
Excellent initiative! The collaboration with NIPER Hajipur for joint research on impurity profiling is particularly noteworthy. Nitrosamine contamination was a global scandal, and India's pharmacopoeia needs to stay ahead. Also, faculty exchange and sharing analytical facilities will boost our pharma R&D ecosystem. Proud of this step forward 🇮🇳
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James A
Interesting development. The NFI integration with PMBJKs could really help standardize prescribing practices, which has been a challenge in India's fragmented healthcare system. The pharmacovigilance angle is crucial — many ADRs go unreported here. If these MoUs translate into real-world improvements in drug safety, it'll be a game-changer for public health.
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Preeti I
This sounds good on paper, but will it actually reach the common man? Many Jan Aushadhi kendras in small towns don't even have basic infrastructure. Training

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