In a strategic move marking the two centuries of dedication to science, standards and health, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) recently unveiled a new logo and tag line that conveys the organisation’s key role in helping to maintain quality of medicines and foods around the world.

USP’s new look is a visual expression of the principles embodied in the organisation’s strategic plan, which articulates a truly global vision supported by organisational initiatives and beliefs. Remaining committed to strengthening and expanding its core compendial mission, USP will also continue building allied compendial programmes and exploring emerging health needs.

The new logo and the strategic plan both grow out of USP’s fundamental strengths that is based on global expertise and trusted standards that improve health.

“USP’s transformation since its founding by 11 physicians in 1820 has truly been remarkable. As an organisation, we remain deeply rooted in our practitioner history while keeping pace with dramatic changes in the science, technology, industry, human needs and global regulatory environment for medicines, foods and supplements. Because USP is a private, independent organisation, it is well positioned to convene stakeholders representing diverse areas of expertise and national backgrounds, all with the goal of advancing health around the world.  USP’s strategic plan and the new logo and tagline both represent this. It is something our many volunteer experts, Convention members, staff and other stakeholders can be proud of. And most importantly providers, patients and consumers all benefit from USP’s ongoing commitment to good-quality medicines and foods,” stressed Roger L Williams, chief executive officer USP.

Interestingly in the new logo. The words 'P' and 'C' are combined into a single, open-ended character signifying the unity of the convention with its collaborative standards-setting process. The logo incorporates a gold sphere, signifying USP’s reputation as 'the gold standard' of quality, the globe that USP serves and aspirations for universal access to good-quality medicines, foods and supplements. Among the other features the new logos colour are softened, from black and metallic gold to blue and a warmer golden shade and the clean, contemporary font was created by USP specifically for the new logo.

The notable elements of the new logo include abbreviated name USP retained, which is known around the world and is strongly associated with both scientific rigour and health impact along with the addition of the organisation’s formal name US Pharmacopeial Convention. This emphasizes USP’s non-governmental status (nearly unique among the world’s pharmacopoeias) as well as the 450 health-focused organisations that comprise the convention membership.

Together, the new logo and tagline reflect USP’s global expertise in developing trusted standards for drugs, food ingredients and dietary supplements - which results in improved health around the world.