Implementation of Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP) and accreditation of pharmacies will be soon launched in the country on a national scale, as an important initiative to improve the standards of pharmacy practices.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) is in discussions with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Government, to implement a national level GPP project in India. FIP and WHO is currently implementing GPP projects in pharmacies of Uruguay in South America and in Thailand.

Subodh Priolkar, president, and Manjari Gharath, Honorary Secretary of the Community Pharmacy Division of IPA told Pharmabiz that the Indian model will involve a joint venture of the government, pharmacists and trade, similar to the Thailand Model. To be implemented on a pilot scale initially, specific guidelines will be developed for space, environment, classification of drugs, display of drugs, patient counseling, documentation etc. A joint working committee of various stakeholders will be formed to co-ordinate training programmes, implementation and accreditation. The drug control administration is also likely to get involved in developing and implementing the GPP guidelines.

The project in Thailand is a joint effort of the FIP, WHO, the drug control administration of Thailand and the Thailand Pharmaceutical Association. There, a working group oversees upgradation and accreditation of pharmacies and pharmacy practices. Though not made mandatory, a good percentage of the one lakh odd pharmacies in Thailand upgraded their standards and got accreditation to become model pharmacies. More pharmacies are showing interest to implement the GPP norms, thanks to a 20 per cent average increase in business for the pharmacies that implemented the project.

A delegation of IPA and FIP had recently visited Thailand for a feasibility study of the project. Top-level office bearers of FIP are coming to India to attend the IPC, and further discussions will be on in New Delhi next week with the Health Ministry, CDSCO and other top government officials and ministers.

Apart from this, the IPA has just begun a project on accreditation of pharmacies, in collaboration with the WHIO India office. The IPA, in association with the WHO India office and CDSCO had brought out a GPP manual about a year ago and has trained about 800 pharmacists through training programmes in various parts of the country. The accredited 'Model Pharmacies' will be offered 'Quality Assurance' certificates similar to ISO certification.