The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC), Quality Council of India (QCI) and HLL Infra Tech Services (HITES) to strengthen drug safety, quality assurance and capacity-building initiatives in the country.

The MoU between IPC and GSPC provides a structured framework for collaboration in the areas of pharmacovigilance, rational use of medicines and professional development of pharmacists in the Goa. The collaboration envisages promotion of the National Formulary of India among registered pharmacists, strengthening of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting mechanisms under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), conduct of training programmes, workshops and continuing education activities and facilitation of awareness initiatives related to drug safety, pharmacopoeial standards and sustainable pharmacopoeia. The MoU also aims to support the establishment and strengthening of ADR monitoring centres and enhance systematic reporting and documentation practices across healthcare facilities in the state.

Under the MoU signed between IPC and QCI, both institutions have agreed to collaborate in areas of mutual interest relating to quality promotion, public health awareness and capacity building. The cooperation includes joint planning and implementation of training and awareness programmes, particularly in relation to pharmacovigilance and allied subjects, utilisation of institutional expertise and technical resources and development of collaborative initiatives aligned with national quality and safety objectives. The MoU is intended to provide a flexible, non-binding framework to facilitate project-based cooperation, with specific activities to be undertaken through mutually agreed work orders, while supporting the broader mandate of quality assurance and standardisation in the healthcare sector.

IPC is continuing efforts to foster institutional partnerships with regulatory bodies, professional councils, quality organisations and public sector enterprises with a view to strengthening pharmacovigilance systems, enhancing professional competencies, and promoting uniform standards for medicine quality and patient safety across the country.

Harsh Mangla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), emphasised the critical role of the regulatory sector in the effective implementation of primary and secondary healthcare across the country. He described the MoU as a significant starting point for institutional partnership, while underscoring that sustained efforts would be required to achieve long-term public health goals.

The minister further highlighted that MoUs should not remain symbolic in nature, but must translate into the achievement of objectives in their true sense. He noted that IPC has signed four MoUs in the past, reflecting its continued commitment to strengthen regulatory and professional collaboration.

He further stressed that drugs and pharmaceuticals deserve the highest level of attention and that enhancing awareness among pharmacists is crucial for ensuring patient safety and quality healthcare delivery. He highlighted the Government of India’s continued efforts to strengthen and flourish the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector through policy support, regulatory reforms and capacity-building initiatives. He added that the MoUs would play a key role in training, capacity building and continuing professional education of pharmacists, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of public health outcomes.