The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is planning to introduce the newedition of pharmacopoeia and monographs soon. The new edition which isexpected to be ready by June 2007 will also include herbal products,anti-retrovirals and new biotech products, Dr GN Singh, director-IPCommission.
A meeting has been held recently with IDMA and a team of 30 scientists fromdifferent organizations and institutions have been consulted on the newedition of the pharmacopoeia, he informed.
As per current plans, the Commission is planning to add 93 molecules ofwhich over 30 are new to any pharmaceopoeia worldwide. The edition iscompiled and is going to be circulated among professionals to seek feedback for updation before launch.
The Commission is gradually recognised by the United States and European Pharmacopoeias. Collaborations between Indian Pharmacopoeia and the two Pharmacopoeias are expected in near future. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will get global recognition soon and efforts are on to achieve it.
The IPC signed a MoU with United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)during August 2006 to promote greater co-operation through the exchange ofinformation and to increase awareness on the quality and safety ofmedicines.
The MoU will facilitate communication and activity to obtain necessaryinformation and chemicals to develop science-based monographs, referencestandards of mutual interest and promote collaboration on testing forreference standards. It will also pave way for exchange of scientific personnel between IPC and USP.
European Commission has earlier sent a team to India to review the progressmade by the IPC and see the suitability of according 'Observer' status toIndia. This status will enable exchange of knowledge between the Indian andEuropean Commissions, he added.
It is also talking to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission for various possibilities of collaboration. The Chinese Commission has quickly completedthe task of translating its pharmacopoeia into English and made necessarymodifications.
The Commission which was formed on December 9, 2004 is working on 30monographs relating anti-retrovirals. It is also planning to develop monographs for herbal products and vaccines as India has enormousopportunity in these areas. The Commission has approached UNICEF to recognize it to work further in the vaccines front.
He suggested the formation of State level working groups that will suggestthe Commission on various parameters. Involvement of Pharmexcil and otheractive industrial bodies is also sought.