The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, organized a Scientific Conclave and Interactive Session on "Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026: Advancing Quality, Safety, and Innovation in Drugs, Food and Phytopharmaceuticals" at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati on 27th August 2026. This marked the first such event organized in the Northeast region, bringing together experts and stakeholders from regulatory authorities, academia, and scientific institutions to deliberate on strengthening quality and standardization of phytopharmaceuticals in India.
A major highlight was the launch of seven Indian Pharmacopoeia Phytochemical Reference Standards (IPPRS) and five Indian Pharmacopoeia Botanical Reference Standards (IPBRS) by IPC, representing the first-ever introduction of these critical reference standards by the Commission. The specific standards launched include Andrographolide, Capsaicin, Embelin, Eugenol, Marmelosin/Imperatorin, Scopoletin, Umbelliferone, Terminalia arjuna, Bacopa monnieri, Tinospora cordifolia, Centella asiatica, and Ocimum sanctum.
The initiative aims to advance scientific standardization, quality assurance, and regulatory evaluation of plant-derived medicinal products. Phytopharmaceuticals represent an important interface between traditional medicinal knowledge and modern scientific approaches, with potential to contribute to drug discovery, affordable healthcare, and India's growing contribution to the global pharmaceutical sector.
Prof. Ashok Puranik, Executive Director of AIIMS-Guwahati, launched the standards and described the initiative as a remarkable step toward strengthening quality, safety, and scientific validation of herbal and plant-based medicinal products. Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of IPC, emphasized the importance of collaboration with NIPER Guwahati laboratory in ensuring robust quality standards and highlighted that such collaborative efforts are crucial for advancing scientific standardization and promoting quality-assured plant-based medicinal products.
The event was attended by Dr. B. Kumar, DDC(I) of CDSCO (EZ), and Dr. Ethengbemo Ezung, ADC of Nagaland, along with experts from regulatory, academic, and scientific communities. The meeting provided a platform for interaction among regulatory authorities, NIPER Guwahati, and IPC, focusing on promoting evidence-based medicines derived from medicinal plants. The initiative is expected to strengthen the availability of safe, effective, and affordable plant-based therapeutic options while encouraging further research, innovation, and scientific advancement in herbal and phytopharmaceutical medicines.