Looking to create a neutral platform for all stakeholders from regulators to industry players and also to stabilise the standardisation of drugs, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has launched intensive interactions with all major associations of the pharmaceutical industry.

"We want to set up a neutral working platform for all the stakeholders including the regulators, professionals, labs, institutions and associations for better interactions within the industry and help improve the standards of drugs,'' sources in the IPC said.

The Commission officials have already met the representatives of major bodies like OPPI, IDMA, IPA and BDMA and offered assistance in this regard, besides seeing their comments on the standardisation of process of drugs. The associations have also pledged manpower and scientific support to help the IPC to come out with the next edition of the Pharmacopoeia, slated for release by June this year. The IPC and associations will be in continued touch for exchanging valuable information and comments on the new monographs being finalised for the next edition.

The IPC recently launched its website ( www.ipc.nic.in) to pass on information to the stakeholders about the monographs and other activities. The existing monographs and details would be included in the website for reference of the industry players, sources said.

At the same time, hit by shortage of manpower to prepare the voluminous edition which will be vetted by scientists in three to four levels, the IPC is also seeking the help of the experts from the industry. The draft for the next edition is almost ready now, it was informed.

The Commission will also hold scientific meetings and workshops in different places to help industry by making available the collected data for reference and to impart knowledge on the significance of the standardisation of drugs. Besides, it will also help the institutions to train the students on pharmacology, with the help of well-known experts in the field.