Upgraded Indian Pharmacopoeia released

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), the standard setting body for medicines in the country, has achieved the unique distinction of setting standards for commonly used HIV drugs and herbal-based medicines for the first time. Since the standards of these medicines do not figure in any other pharmacopieas including United States Pharmacopoeia and British Pharmacopoeia, Indian Pharmacopoeia (book of medicine standards) will be the reference manual for the importers of these medicines, experts feel.

There are about 60 new monographs or standards on AIDS medication, veterinary medicines, biotechnology products and herbal medicines that are not availble elsewhere.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2007, released by health minister Anbumani Ramadoss today, is a thoroughly upgraded version of IP 1996.

The pharmacopoeial standards included in IP 2007 has made India closer to internationally accepted technological status for manufacture and analysis of drugs and pharmaceuticals, experts said. The publication has been considerably revised and improved by introducing advanced technology and experimental methods widely adopted in India and abroad, they explained.

The new standards are to come into effect from April 1, 2007.