Indian Pharmacopoeia To Ink With European Counterpart

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is moving closer to tie up with the European Pharmacopoeia, an umbrella body for 34 nations, aiming an observer status and reap more gains in the international spectrum.

After its successful collaboration with the USP Convention of United States a few months ago, the efforts of the Indian body to consolidate itself will get a major boost through the collaboration with the European Pharmacopoeia, sources said here. India is looking to get an observer status with the European body as in the case with China and Japan.

The high level representatives of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), the scientific body under the EP will meet the top officials of the Indian counterpart organization on December 4, in Mumbai to chalk out the preliminary strategies.

"The process of a possible agreement is already on and will take place in a few months time, as the Europe and West are considering India as an emerging leader in global drug market and are so keen to extend tie-ups", the Pharmacopoeia Commission sources said.

"Unlike in the past, they view India with huge awe and more and more counterparts are approaches the IP for possible mutual agreements. Many more bilateral accords are likely in the coming months," the sources said.

(Ref : Chronicle Pharmabiz dated December 7, 2006)