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

During her address, Smt. Patel reaffirmed India's commitment to global pharmaceutical standardization and regulatory convergence, highlighting the country's role as the "Pharmacy of the World." She emphasized the importance of ensuring access to high-quality medicines worldwide and underscored the IMWP’s significance as a platform for fostering international collaboration in pharmacopoeial science and regulatory frameworks.

On this occasion, the Minister also launched the IPC Newsletter 2024 and a special video film showcasing India's advancements in pharmacopoeial science. The film highlights the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission’s efforts in ensuring high pharmaceutical standards and can be accessed online.

 Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of global partnerships in strengthening pharmaceutical quality standards. She reiterated India’s commitment to aligning its regulatory frameworks with international best practices to ensure the availability of safe and effective medicines.

Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of IPC and Drugs Controller General of India, detailed the Commission’s contributions in setting global benchmarks in pharmacopoeial science. He highlighted initiatives such as the IP Online platform, which enhances accessibility and usability of Indian Pharmacopoeia standards. He also emphasized the need for scientific advancements and regulatory cooperation to shape the future of pharmaceutical standards worldwide.

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

The three-day meeting will focus on reviewing progress on harmonization initiatives, addressing emerging issues in impurity assessment, and defining a long-term governance structure for the IMWP. Discussions will also center on enhancing collaboration among global pharmacopoeias, promoting environmental sustainability in pharmaceutical practices, and finalizing key reports to guide future standard-setting efforts.

The IMWP, which concludes on February 7, 2025, is expected to reinforce the critical role of pharmacopoeias in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines worldwide. The outcomes of the discussions will shape future collaborations in regulatory harmonization and pharmaceutical quality assurance.