The union health and family welfare minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad released the 7th edition of 'Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 - a book of drug standards' in New Delhi on November 04, 2013.

The minister congratulated the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and the expert members of the Scientific Body, IPC staff and various other professionals and organizations for this achievement.

Speaking on the occasion, Azad said that there have been rapid changes in the standards of drug all over the world and to keep pace with the regulatory requirements, it was felt necessary by all the stakeholders to bring out the new edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 at the earliest. "The standards given in this pharmacopoeia are authoritative, legally enforceable and intended to help in the inspection and licensing of manufacturing units and distribution of drugs and pharmaceuticals," mentioned the minister. He further noted that Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 has been considerably revised and improved by introducing advanced technology and experimental methods widely adopted in India and abroad.

The seventh edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2014) has been published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) in fulfillment of the requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder. It prescribes the standards for drugs produced and/or marketed in India and thus contributes in the control and assurance of the quality of the medicines.The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 is presented in four volumes. The scope of the Pharmacopoeia has been extended to include products of biotechnology, indigenous herbs and herbal products, veterinary vaccines and additional antiretroviral drugs and formulations, inclusive of commonly used fixed-dose combinations. Standards for new drugs and drugs used under National Health Programmes are added and the drugs as well as their formulations not in use now a days are omitted from this edition.

The IP 2014 incorporates 2548 monographs of drugs out of which 577 are new monographs consisting of APIs, excipients, dosage forms, antibiotic monographs, insulin products and herbal products etc. 19 New Radiopharmaceutical Monographs and 1 General chapter is first time being included in this edition. It is hoped that this edition would play a significant role in improving the quality of medicines which in turn promote public health and accelerate the growth and development of Pharma Sector.

Present at the occasion were Mr K N Desiraju, secretary, health and family welfare, Dr V M Katoch, secretary, department of health research and DG, ICMR, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative and various other dignitaries.