The general body of the newly constituted Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has appointed Dr Nitya Anand, eminent scientist and ex-director, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) as the chairman of its scientific committee.

The first meeting of IPC held on April 20th also asked a four-member "research committee" to identify eminent scientific personalities to be nominated to the Scientific Committee. The "research committee" members are Dr P R Pabrai, ex-director CIPL, Ashwini Kumar, DCGI, Dr P Rama Rao, Director, NIPER and Dr Nitya Anand. The committee will now suggest the names of 15-24 members who are eligible to be inducted to the scientific committee.

The formation of an autonomous IP Commission was a long cherished dream of Indian pharmaceutical community. The formation of the commission was finally notified on March 22, 2005 which said that the commission had been registered as a Society under the provisions of the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on December 9, 2004. The MoU with regard to the functioning of the IPC had said that the commission would be led by a Chairman who is a person of eminence with academic distinction in teaching and /or research in pharmaceutical and allied sciences or quality assurance of drugs or with experience in regulatory affairs relating to drugs.

A three-tier structure consisting of General Body, Governing Body and Scientific Committee to look after the functioning of IPC was also chalked out in the MoU.

Outlining the initial activities of IPC, the general body meeting wanted IP Addendum 2005 to be published shortly. The IPC would also work towards publishing a new edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia within a year.