Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission Signs MoUs with Bihar, Maharashtra and Mizoram State Pharmacy Councils to Strengthen Medicine Safety and Promote Rational Use of Medicines Nationwide

**Executive Summary** On 12 May 2026, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the State Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram to enhance medicine safety and rational drug use. The partnership aims to strengthen the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) by establishing Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Monitoring Centres and making the National Formulary of India (NFI) a mandatory reference in hospitals. Key initiatives include professional training for pharmacists and targeted public awareness campaigns regarding drug safety and regulatory standards. **Key Points / Main Content** **Strengthening Pharmacovigilance and Safety** * **ADR Reporting:** The MoUs prioritize the promotion of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting mechanisms to reinforce medicine safety surveillance. * **Monitoring Centres:** Collaboration will facilitate the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres (AMCs) across the participating states in coordination with the PvPI. * **Patient Safety:** The initiative seeks to advance patient safety through active participation from healthcare professionals in pharmacovigilance activities. **Standardization of Medicine Use** * **National Formulary of India (NFI):** Partners will work toward the wider dissemination and adoption of the NFI among registered pharmacists to ensure evidence-based medicine use. * **Mandatory Documentation:** Efforts will be made to establish the NFI as a mandatory reference document in hospital pharmacies across state healthcare facilities. **Professional Development and Cooperation** * **Training Initiatives:** The IPC and State Councils will jointly organize workshops, training programs, and continuing education to enhance pharmacist competencies in pharmacopoeial standards and rational pharmacotherapy. * **Research and Standards:** The partnership promotes professional cooperation and research in the areas of drug safety and regulatory standards. **Operational Roles and Outreach** * **IPC Responsibilities:** The IPC will provide technical guidance, scientific support, and domain expertise for all initiatives. * **State Council Responsibilities:** State Pharmacy Councils will facilitate coordination between pharmacists, hospitals, and healthcare institutions for effective implementation. * **Public Awareness:** Targeted outreach programs will be conducted to increase awareness of medicine safety and pharmacopoeial standards among the public and professionals. **Impact Analysis** **Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)** **Impact** The IPC expands its institutional reach at the state level, allowing for more robust data collection and implementation of national safety standards. **Action Required** Provide necessary technical guidance, scientific expertise, and domain support to State Pharmacy Councils. **State Pharmacy Councils (Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram)** **Impact** These councils gain a formal framework to enhance the professional capacity of their members and improve state-level healthcare safety. **Action Required** Coordinate with pharmacists, hospitals, and local healthcare institutions to implement training and safety initiatives. **Registered Pharmacists** **Impact** Pharmacists will receive enhanced training and are expected to play a more active role in drug safety monitoring and evidence-based practice. **Action Required** Adopt the NFI for daily practice, participate in continuing education programs, and actively engage in ADR reporting. **Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities** **Impact** Facilities in the participating states will transition toward standardized drug referencing and increased safety surveillance. **Action Required** Establish the NFI as a mandatory reference document in pharmacies and support the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres.

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