Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel delivered the keynote address at the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias (IMWP), hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), here today. The meeting brought together global pharmacopoeial leaders, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on key issues related to pharmaceutical standards and harmonization.

Addressing the gathering, Smt. Patel reaffirmed India’s commitment to global pharmaceutical standardization and regulatory convergence. She highlighted India’s role as the “Pharmacy of the World” and emphasized the importance of ensuring access to high-quality medicines globally. She stated that the IMWP serves as a vital platform to foster international collaboration in pharmacopoeial science and regulatory harmonization.

On this occasion, the Union Minister also released the IPC Newsletter 2024 and a special IPC video film, which showcase India’s advancements in pharmacopoeial science and the Commission’s efforts in ensuring high-quality pharmaceutical standards. The video film can be accessed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCdAZodvOSM.

Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, underscored the significance of global partnerships in strengthening pharmaceutical quality standards. She reiterated India’s efforts in aligning regulatory frameworks with international best practices and ensuring the availability of safe and effective medicines worldwide.

Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC, and Drugs Controller General (India), highlighted IPC’s contributions in setting global benchmarks in pharmacopoeial science. He elaborated on IPC’s initiatives, including the IP Online platform, which enhances accessibility and usability of Indian Pharmacopoeia standards. He emphasized the role of scientific advancements and regulatory cooperation in shaping global pharmaceutical standards.

Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, commended India’s leadership in pharmacopoeial standard-setting and emphasized the importance of regulatory harmonization in ensuring patient safety and public health.

The 15^th IMWP is set to facilitate discussions on key focus areas, including:

• Updates on recommendations from the 14th IMWP and review of progress on harmonization initiatives.
• Emerging issues in impurity assessment (Q3) and the implications of ICH Q6 guidelines on pharmacopoeial monograph specifications.
• Defining the IMWP Charter to establish a long-term governance structure for the forum.
• Enhancing collaboration among global pharmacopoeias and regulatory bodies, with updates from the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG).
• Promotion of environmental sustainability in pharmacopoeial practices and pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.
• Finalization of reports for the 15th IMWP and preparatory discussions for the 16th IMWP.

The deliberations during the IMWP will reinforce the role of pharmacopoeias in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines. The outcomes of the meeting will guide future collaborations in standard-setting and regulatory harmonization.

The 15th IMWP, which commenced today, will conclude on 7th February 2025. The discussions held over these three days will set the stage for further strengthening global pharmacopoeial cooperation and enhancing pharmaceutical quality assurance.

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