Indian Pharmacopoeia standards comparable with leading global pharmacopoeias: Officials
New Delhi, June 18
The standards of the Indian Pharmacopoeia are comparable with leading international pharmacopoeias, and the country has been recognised for its leadership in developing and establishing quality standards for several medicines, the government said on Thursday.
A delegation from the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) led by Dr V Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, along with Dr Pawan Saini and Dr Shruti Rastogi, participated in the 16th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias (IMWP) and the accompanying Stakeholders' Meeting held in Brazil, from June 15-17. The meeting was coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr Kalaiselvan presented key updates on the Indian pharmacopoeia, highlighting recent advancements in pharmacopoeial standards, modernisation initiatives, and India's contributions towards global harmonisation of medicine quality standards.
India was also recognised for its leadership in developing and establishing quality standards for anti-tuberculosis medicines, anti-cancer therapeutics, blood and blood products, medicines used in the management of anaemia, and other complex pharmaceutical molecules, reflecting the country's growing scientific, regulatory, and pharmacopoeial capabilities.
According to Health Ministry, the Indian delegation contributed to discussions on modern microbiological methods, pharmacopoeial convergence, and environmental sustainability in pharmaceutical standards.
Dr Kalaiselvan showcased its role in strengthening public health through science-based standards and regulatory support, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines worldwide.
India's participation at the 16th IMWP further strengthened collaboration with international pharmacopoeias and reaffirmed the country's growing leadership in shaping global pharmaceutical quality standards for the benefit of patients worldwide.
The event brought together representatives from leading pharmacopoeias worldwide, including the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (Brazil), European Pharmacopoeia (Europe), Indian Pharmacopoeia (India), Japanese Pharmacopoeia (Japan), Korean Pharmacopoeia (Republic of Korea), Mexican Pharmacopoeia (Mexico), Russian Pharmacopoeia (Russian Federation), British Pharmacopoeia (United Kingdom), United States Pharmacopeia (United States of America), State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan), Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia (Vietnam) and The International Pharmacopoeia of WHO.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good effort, but I hope these international recognitions actually lead to stricter enforcement within India. Many times we hear about high standards, but ground reality for patients is different – especially in smaller cities and villages. Quality control needs to be more transparent and accountable. Let's see real change on the ground.
Great to see India getting recognition at WHO forum! 🇮🇳 The fact that we're contributing to global harmonization of medicine quality standards is a big achievement. However, I'd like to see more details on what specific improvements have been made in the Indian Pharmacopoeia compared to previous versions. Better transparency would help build more trust.
This is a proud moment for India's pharma sector! 💊 From being the 'pharmacy of the world' to setting quality standards – we've come a long way. Just hope that our regulatory bodies maintain the momentum and focus on continuous improvement. International recognition is one thing, but consistent quality assurance at home is what ultimately matters for Indian patients.
Impressive developments! India's leadership in setting standards for anti-TB and anti-cancer medicines is particularly significant given the disease burden in the country. This recognition will definitely boost confidence in Indian-made pharmaceuticals globally. Let's hope this encourages more investment in R&D and quality infrastructure.
While this is good news, I'm cautiously optimistic. The real test is when these standards are implemented uniformly across all manufacturers. We still hear about substandard medicines reaching markets sometimes. The government should use this international recognition as motivation to strengthen domestic quality control mechanisms. Let's work towards making these standards truly felt by every patient.