Indian drug standards now recognised in 19 global south countries
India has made a dramatic leap in global drug safety monitoring, climbing to the eighth position worldwide from 123rd in its contributions to the World Health Organization’s pharmacovigilance database, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said on Friday.
Speaking at the release of the Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 (IP 2026) — the 10th edition of India’s official drug standards book — Nadda highlighted the country’s growing leadership in pharmaceutical regulation and patient safety. The event was held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
“The Indian Pharmacopoeia serves as the official book of standards for drugs in the country and is a cornerstone of India’s regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals,” Nadda said, adding that the latest edition reflects scientific advancements, global best practices and India’s expanding role in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Highlighting the progress of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) under the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), the minister said India’s global standing has improved sharply over the past decade.
“India, which was ranked 123rd globally in contributions to the WHO pharmacovigilance database during 2009–2014, has now risen to 8th position worldwide in 2025,” he said.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 includes 121 new monographs, taking the total number to 3,340. The expanded coverage strengthens standards across key therapeutic areas such as anti-tubercular, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer medicines, as well as iron supplements, ensuring better standardisation of drugs used under various National Health Programmes.
Commending the IPC and PvPI teams, Nadda said the strengthened pharmacovigilance ecosystem reflects India’s sustained commitment to patient safety, quality assurance and regulatory vigilance.
The minister also noted that Indian Pharmacopoeia standards are gaining wider international acceptance as part of India’s health diplomacy. “The Indian Pharmacopoeia is now recognised in 19 countries of the global south,” he said.
Among major regulatory advances, IP 2026 includes, for the first time, 20 blood component monographs related to transfusion medicine, in line with the Drugs and Cosmetics (Second Amendment) Rules, 2020.
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