The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has entered agreements with two government institutes to bolster quality assurance, promote rational medicine use, and facilitate collaborative research. One pact with the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India aims to improve the quality assurance framework for medicines available through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs). This partnership enables PMBI to send selected Jan Aushadhi medicine batches to IPC for quality testing and encourages the use of the National Formulary of India (NFI) to ensure proper medication use.
Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance pharmacovigilance by displaying the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code and a toll-free helpline number (1800-180-3024) at PMBJKs nationwide to promote adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and enhance patient safety. IPC and PMBI will jointly conduct awareness programs, training sessions for pharmacists and stakeholders on rational medicine use, pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting tools, and the pharmacist’s role in public health protection.
Another memorandum with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, focuses on collaborative research, academic exchanges, and capacity building in pharmaceutical science and healthcare products. NIPER Hajipur, an Institute of National Importance, possesses expertise in pharmaceutical analysis, biologics, and clinical research, making it a valuable partner in enhancing pharmacopoeial science and patient safety. The collaboration will involve joint research on impurity profiling, including genotoxic impurities like nitrosamines, and their relationship with ADR data to set evidence-based pharmacopoeial limits.
Furthermore, the focus will be on developing analytical methods, quality control protocols, and reference standards for biologics, biosimilars, and emerging cell and gene therapy products to be included in the Indian Pharmacopoeia. Both institutions will collaborate on organizing training programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, faculty exchanges, and sharing advanced analytical instrumentation facilities. Internship and fellowship opportunities for pharmacy graduates and postgraduates, along with joint publication of research papers, training manuals, and educational materials, will further enhance scientific engagement and institutional capacity building.
