Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) recently met with the commerce ministry to discuss on ways to promote the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) as an accepted book of standards across the world. The main focus of the meeting was to initiate steps that will help in sensitising the world about the intricacies of IP, and how it plays a major role in manufacturing drugs that are of high standards.

As a part of this initiative, IPC will be closely working with Pharmexcil which will enable the commission to represent IP at all the events through year around activities conducted by the council globally. It will not only enable IP to be recognised as a book of standard along with the other counterparts like USP, EP, BP, JP etc. but also will ensure that it will be globally accepted as well.

Dr G N Singh, secretary cum scientific director of IPC informed, “As on date, IP is not recognised as book of standards even though we have some unique features in it which is at par or even better than our counter parts. In some areas, IP has already established its leadership and we are constantly striving by putting in our best efforts to ensure that soon we reach that position wherein we are unanimously accepted as a book of standards by other countries as well which includes both the developed and developing countries.”

He informed that special focus is being taken by the IPC to initiate steps to propagate IP in the developing countries especially African, SAARC, Latin American nations, so that they are accepted their as well. Gradually the commission aims at pushing for this cause across the developed nations as well.

Dr Singh who is also the acting drug controller general of India (DCGI) further pointed out that it is high time for the world to recognise IP as a book of standards, as the drugs manufactured in India are globally accepted for its quality and efficacy.

To further strengthen this initiative, IPC is also having active collaboration with ministry of health and family welfare and other counterparts so that all of them can work together to achieve this aim. Their collaborative efforts will also focus on addressing some of the key issues relating to health that will fasten the process of IP's recognition globally.