The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the State Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram on May 12, 2026, to strengthen medicine safety and pharmacovigilance across the country. Executed at the IPC headquarters in Ghaziabad, this collaborative initiative aims to build institutional capacity, promote rational drug use, and enhance adverse event monitoring at the grassroots level. The partnership marks a significant stride in integrating state-level regulatory systems with national health safety frameworks to protect patient well-being.
Strategic MoUs for Medicine Safety and Pharmacovigilance
The agreements were signed at the IPC headquarters in Ghaziabad by Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, the Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of the IPC, alongside official representatives from the State Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram. This institutional partnership seeks to create a coordinated network of healthcare professionals to trace and mitigate drug-related safety hazards. By establishing clear responsibilities for both national and state bodies, the agreements build a structured framework for drug safety reporting and compliance.
The partnership focuses on several key action areas to build capacity and raise awareness. The core pillars of the collaboration are detailed in the table below:
| Collaboration Pillar | Primary Objectives and Activities |
|---|---|
| Pharmacovigilance Expansion | Promoting the reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and setting up new ADR Monitoring Centres (AMCs) across the three states. |
| Rational Medicine Use | Enhancing the adoption of the National Formulary of India (NFI) as the standard reference book for hospital pharmacies and registered pharmacists. |
| Capacity Building | Conducting joint training programs, workshops, and continuing pharmacy education sessions to upskill practicing pharmacists. |
| Outreach and Advocacy | Organizing public awareness campaigns regarding medicine safety, proper dosage, and the importance of checking pharmacopoeial standards. |
Through these defined areas of action, the IPC and State Pharmacy Councils aim to address critical gaps in the existing drug safety network. The decentralised approach ensures that regional challenges, such as varying levels of pharmacist training or different local drug distribution networks, are monitored by state-level bodies that possess direct regulatory oversight.
Strengthening the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India
A key objective of the agreements is to reinforce the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) at the state level. Launched in July 2010 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the PvPI serves as the national system for monitoring the safety of medicines and documenting adverse events. The National Coordination Centre (NCC) for the program was shifted to the IPC in April 2011, allowing the commission to collect, analyze, and report drug safety data to the central drug regulator.
Under the new agreements, the State Pharmacy Councils will actively coordinate with the IPC to establish new Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centres (AMCs). These centres, situated inside medical institutions and hospitals, act as the primary hubs for detecting and reporting drug side effects. Registered pharmacists will receive specialized guidance to identify, document, and report suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) directly to the PvPI database, improving the quality and speed of safety data collection.
Promoting Rational Drug Use through the National Formulary of India
The agreements place a strong emphasis on promoting rational medicine use by distributing the National Formulary of India (NFI). Published periodically by the IPC, the NFI is a comprehensive, evidence-based guidance document designed to assist clinicians, pharmacists, and nurses. It lists essential medicines, their dosages, indications, side effects, and drug interactions, serving as a reliable alternative to commercial literature.
Under the MoUs, the State Pharmacy Councils will work to establish the NFI as a standard reference text in hospital pharmacies and healthcare facilities across Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram. By ensuring that registered pharmacists have direct access to this document, the councils aim to reduce prescription errors and curb the irrational use of medicines. Pharmacists can utilize the NFI to verify drug details, counsel patients on correct administration, and discourage self-medication or the misuse of prescription drugs.
Professional Roles and Legal Framework of State Pharmacy Councils
The State Pharmacy Councils are statutory bodies constituted by state governments under Section 19 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Each council is composed of elected, nominated, and ex-officio members. Six members are elected directly by the registered pharmacists of the state, while five members are nominated by the state government. Additionally, one member is elected from the Medical Council of the State, and three ex-officio members represent the state administrative medical services, drug control department, and government analysts.
The primary statutory function of these councils, governed by Chapter IV of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, is to prepare and maintain an updated register of qualified pharmacists within their jurisdictions. They handle the registration, renewal, and regulation of the pharmacy profession. By collaborating with the IPC, the councils can integrate continuing pharmacy education into their regular professional oversight. This integration allows them to make pharmacovigilance training a key requirement for registration renewal, ensuring that all practicing pharmacists remain updated on drug safety standards.
About the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is an autonomous institution operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Established in 2005 and fully operational since 2009, the commission is headquartered in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The IPC is charged with the statutory responsibility of publishing and updating the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), the official compilation of standards for drug quality, purity, and strength in India.
The standards published by the IPC are legally binding under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. All manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of medicines in India must comply with these standards. By managing the IP, alongside coordinating the PvPI and compiling the NFI, the commission serves as the apex body ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceuticals available in the Indian healthcare system.
Key Takeaways
- The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed MoUs with the State Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram on May 12, 2026, to strengthen medicine safety and pharmacovigilance.
- The Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) was launched in July 2010, and its National Coordination Centre has been hosted at the IPC since April 2011.
- The partnerships aim to set up new Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centres (AMCs) and promote the National Formulary of India (NFI) as a standard reference in hospital pharmacies.
- The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) was established in 2005 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with headquarters in Ghaziabad.
- The State Pharmacy Councils are constituted under Section 19 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 and are responsible for registering pharmacists under Chapter IV of the Act.
- The standards set in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) are legally enforceable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
