Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is having high level talks with the British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), and World Health Organisation (WHO) about initiating a joint programme with IP. According to Dr Nitya Anand, chairman, Scientific Body IPC its a matter of great importance to India since it shows the importance of drugs produced within India.

Dr Anand informed that the collaboration will be focused on achieving harmonisation of standards as medicines and their ingredients are produced all over the world and thus the existence of and the adherence to quality standards is even more important. He further informed, “The other important aspect would be sharing of reference substance and information, since India is largest producer of API's in the world.”  

He insisted that having such kind of collaboration is very important for the growth of IP since it will help in boosting the image of India in the international community. It will not only help in cementing the relationship with international committee but also in expanding more collaborative work.

In the past the IPC had collaborated with US Pharmacopoeia (USP) by signing a memorandum of understanding for co-operation in promoting quality of medicines. It helped in promoting greater interaction between the two organisations through collaboration on regional scientific conferences, seminars, training, workshops and education courses.

The features of the latest edition of IP 2010 which will be available from December 1 supersedes the 2007 edition. It has many added features to it, with increased number of anti retroviral and protease inhibitors ie 40 drugs in the current edition. The latest addition of the IP 2010 has introduced 60 herbal drugs which include raw plants and herbal products approved by the DGCI. The Indian Pharmacopoeia also has the distinction of being the first pharmacopoeia to have most detailed information on phyto pharmaceutical and herbal products.