Two MoUs signed to promote drug quality, research and patient safety

Aimed at promoting drug quality, rational use of medicines, research and patient safety, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Union health ministry has inked two MoUs with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).
A statement by the health ministry said that India continues to strengthen its commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare and advancing pharmaceutical excellence through strategic institutional collaborations. The MoU between IPC and PMBI aims to enhance the quality assurance framework for medicines made available through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).
Under this collaboration, PMBI may submit randomly selected batches of Jan Aushadhi medicines to IPC for quality testing. The partnership will further promote the use of the National Formulary of India (NFI) across Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to ensure rational use of medicines, the statement said.
It also seeks to strengthen pharmacovigilance activities by displaying the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code and toll-free helpline number (1800-180-3024) at PMBJKs across the country, thereby encouraging adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and improving patient safety, it said.
In addition, IPC and PMBI will jointly organise sensitisation, awareness and training programmes for pharmacists and stakeholders on rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting tools and the role of pharmacists in safeguarding public health.
The MoU signed between IPC and NIPER Hajipur, Bihar, focuses on collaborative research, academic exchange and capacity-building in the area of pharmaceutical science and healthcare products.
The NIPER Hajipur, an Institute of National Importance, possesses advanced expertise in pharmaceutical analysis, biologics and clinical research, making it a valuable partner in strengthening pharmacopoeial science and patient safety, the statement said.
This collaboration will include joint research programmes on impurity profiling, including genotoxic impurities such as nitrosamines and their correlation with adverse drug reaction data to establish evidence-based pharmacopoeial limits, it said.
It will also focus on the development of analytical methods, quality control protocols and reference standards for biologics, biosimilars and emerging cell and gene therapy products for inclusion in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Both institutions will also collaborate in organising training programmes, workshops, seminars and conferences, along with faculty exchange initiatives and sharing of advanced analytical instrumentation facilities.
Internship and fellowship opportunities for pharmacy graduates and postgraduates, as well as joint publication of research papers, training manuals and educational materials will further strengthen scientific engagement and institutional capacity-building, the statement said.