Union Minister for Health, and Chemicals & Fertilizers, J. P. Nadda, unveiled the 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2026) in New Delhi on Friday. The release marks a significant advancement in the country’s efforts to enhance pharmaceutical quality control and regulatory systems.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia serves as the authoritative national compendium for drug standards, providing the essential benchmarks for the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines circulating in the Indian market.
Speaking at the launch event held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Minister Nadda emphasized the publication’s expanding global footprint. He noted that the IP is now officially recognized across 19 nations in the Global South, underscoring India’s rising influence in global health governance and drug regulation.
The latest edition introduces 121 new monographs, bringing the total to 3,340. It features expanded standards for critical therapeutic areas, including anti-tubercular, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer drugs, as well as for iron supplements utilized in national health initiatives.
Minister Nadda also spotlighted India’s remarkable journey in pharmacovigilance—the monitoring of drug safety. From a rank of 123rd in the period 2009-2014, India has risen to 8th position globally in 2025 for its contributions to the WHO’s pharmacovigilance database, a feat achieved through the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). He described this leap as a testament to the nation’s dedication to patient safety and robust regulatory oversight.
A landmark addition to IP 2026 is the incorporation of 20 monographs for blood components, a first for the publication. This move, aligned with recent amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, is set to fortify regulatory frameworks in the vital domain of transfusion medicine.
In his address, the Minister credited the government’s sustained focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and regulatory bodies under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He expressed confidence that IP 2026 would elevate domestic quality benchmarks and further consolidate India’s standing in the worldwide pharmaceutical landscape.
Echoing the sentiment, Union Health Secretary Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava stated that the release signifies a crucial step towards a more resilient and science-driven regulatory environment. She stressed that the continual revision and global harmonization of such standards are imperative for ensuring access to safe, effective medicines and for keeping pace with international regulatory practices.
Published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission under the aegis of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the standards enshrined in the Indian Pharmacopoeia are legally binding. They form the cornerstone for drug licensing, inspection, and distribution across the country. India is also engaged in collaborative efforts with international pharmacopoeial bodies to harmonize standards in line with global harmonization guidelines.
