Formation of a fully autonomous Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is still uncertain even after a proposal in this regard was formally approved by the Union health ministry more than six months ago. Despite the health ministry's clearance in September last, no effective steps have been taken to facilitate establishment of this body by ministry officials. Inaction on the part of the ministry has disappointed the pharmaceutical industry, which was buoyant about the approval that came after decades' of persuasion.

Concerned about the undue delay in issuing an official circular regarding the formation of the Commission, Dr Nityanand, the current chairman of IP Committee, said "we have no clue why there is a delay in further proceedings by the government as far as the constitution of the Commission is concerned."

However, he informed Pharmabiz that the Committee members along with industry representatives are planning to meet Prasad Rao, secretary, MoH, soon to discuss the current status and also to remind him about this proposal. "We are now concerned that if there is further delay in the matter, the World Bank aid from which the initial expenditure for IP Commission is being planned and approved, may be lost and thereby this dream proposal would remain in paper," he puzzled.

It may be recalled that though the MoH was earlier reluctant to grant independent functional powers to the Commission, the secretary, Union Ministry of Health, in a meeting on September 26, 2003, with the senior members in the IP Committee, has informed that their proposal has been accepted in its totality and a Rs 13 crore World Bank funding will be made available to the setting up of the Commission and also to upgrade the Central Indian Pharmacopoeia Laboratory at Ghaziabad.

The Commission, which was expected to start functioning before the end of 2003, had also worked out a three-tier administration structure with a permanent Governing Board and a chief executive officer (CEO) to look after the direct functions.

Soon after the government approval to the Commission, Dr Pabrai, former director, Central Indian Pharmacopoeial Laboratory (CIPL) and a senior member in the current IP Committee, had informed Pharmabiz that as the Health Secretary has okayed the proposal in toto, there is no more hurdles expected in the formation of the Commission and it can be set up even in a month's time.

It may be recalled that though the government had agreed in principle to form the IP Commission last year, the autonomy to the proposed Commission was not fully supported by the ministry.

Currently, the CIPL is not fully dedicated to undertake the work of IP as it has been doing the lab work for CDSCO as well. However, with the formation of the Commission, the publication and marketing of the Indian Pharmacopoeia was also expected to come directly under CIPL and it would turn to be the source of income for the Commission.