NEW DELHI: In a significant step to strengthen medicine safety and enhance the monitoring of adverse drug reactions, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) on Tuesday signed agreements with the pharmacy councils of Bihar, Maharashtra and Mizoram. These Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aim to expand pharmacovigilance efforts and promote the rational use of medicines across the country.
Expanding Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring
The MoUs were signed at IPC headquarters in Ghaziabad. Their primary goal is to improve adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting systems, establish more ADR Monitoring Centres, and increase awareness among pharmacists and healthcare professionals regarding safe and evidence-based medicine use. Officials stated that this collaboration would bolster the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), under which healthcare professionals and patients report side effects and safety concerns related to medicines. The initiative is also designed to enhance medicine safety surveillance and encourage the reporting of ADRs in hospitals and pharmacies within the participating states.
Promoting the National Formulary of India
Under the agreement, the state pharmacy councils and IPC will work together to promote wider adoption of the National Formulary of India (NFI), a reference document that guides safe, effective, and rational prescription and dispensing practices. Efforts will be made to establish the NFI as a standard reference in hospital pharmacies. Additionally, the partnership will focus on training programs, workshops, and continuing education for pharmacists on rational drug use, pharmacovigilance, and patient safety.
Key Signatories and Future Impact
The MoUs were signed by IPC Secretary-cum-Scientific Director Dr. V. Kalaiselvan with representatives of the Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram State Pharmacy Councils, in the presence of senior health and regulatory experts. Officials noted that the collaboration is intended to strengthen patient safety systems and improve early detection of medicine-related risks through greater participation of pharmacists and healthcare institutions in drug safety monitoring.
