Center partners with 3 states to enhance drug safety and adverse reaction reporting

New Delhi: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra and Mizoram to expand pharmacovigilance and promote rational use of medicines with an aim to enhance drug safety and improve adverse drug reaction monitoring.The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the IPC headquarters in Ghaziabad, aims to improve the adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system, expand ADR monitoring centers and create awareness among pharmacists and healthcare professionals about safe and evidence-based medication use.Officials said the collaboration will strengthen the Pharmacovigilance Program in India (PvPI), under which healthcare professionals and patients report drug-related side effects and safety concerns. The initiative also aims to improve drug safety monitoring and encourage hospitals and pharmacies in participating states to report adverse drug reactions.Under the agreement, the state pharmacy boards and IPC will work to promote wider use of the National Formulary of India (NFI), a reference document designed to guide safe, effective and rational prescribing and dispensing practices. Officials said efforts will also be made to establish the formulary as a standard reference for hospital pharmacies.The partnership will also focus on training programs, workshops and continuing education for pharmacists on rational medication use, pharmacovigilance and patient safety.The MoU was signed by Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary and Scientific Director, IPC, and representatives of the Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra and Mizoram in the presence of senior health and regulatory experts.Officials said the partnership aims to strengthen patient safety systems and improve early detection of drug-related risks through broader involvement of pharmacists and healthcare providers in drug safety monitoring.