SCIENTIFIC CONCLAVE ON PHARMACOPOEIA STANDARDS HELD IN GOA P
Panaji: June 26, 2026
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, successfully organized a Scientific Conclave on “Pharmacopoeia Standards: Regulatory and Quality Consideration” on June 25, 2026 at the Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration, Bambolim. The conclave brought together representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, quality control laboratories, academia and allied stakeholders to deliberate on key aspects of pharmacopoeial standards and their role in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines.
The inaugural address of the conclave was delivered by Dr. Praveen Khullar, President, Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association, who emphasized the importance of adopting contemporary pharmacopoeial standards to strengthen quality assurance, regulatory compliance and the global competitiveness of the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Santosh Indraksha, Deputy Drugs Controller (India), CDSCO, Mumbai, highlighted the pivotal role of pharmacopoeial standards in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines. He emphasized the need for close collaboration among regulators, industry and scientific institutions to promote consistent implementation of quality standards.
Smt. Shweta S. Dessai, Director, Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration, welcomed the initiative in her keynote address and underscored the importance of continuous capacity building and stakeholder engagement in strengthening regulatory systems. She emphasized that such scientific conclaves provide a valuable platform for regulators, industry and experts to exchange knowledge and remain abreast of the latest developments in pharmacopoeial standards and quality assurance.
Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC, addressed the participants through a video message, highlighting the commission’s commitment to strengthening pharmacopoeial standards to ensure the quality, safety and rational use of medicines. He apprised the participants of the key highlights of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026, including the addition of new monographs on anti-tubercular and anti-anaemia medicines, biosimilars, and blood and blood components. He also emphasized the enhanced focus on elemental impurity control in IP 2026 through dedicated general chapter requirements aligned with contemporary international regulatory expectations. He further noted that the IP is now recognized by 24 countries, with several more recognitions in the pipeline, and encouraged stakeholders to leverage this growing international acceptance to expand the global reach of Indian pharmaceutical products.
The technical sessions were initiated by Dr. Gaurav Pratap Singh, Senior Principal Scientific Officer, IPC, with an overview of the major developments incorporated in IP 2026. The sessions also covered key pharmacopoeial and regulatory topics, including Indian Pharmacopoeia Reference Substances (IPRS), quality of excipients, nitrosamine risk assessment, elemental impurities, and recent updates to the general chapters on weights & balances and pH. The conclave concluded with an interactive open discussion, enabling participants to engage directly with experts from IPC, FDA Goa and the pharmaceutical industry on contemporary regulatory and quality-related challenges.
The conclave reaffirmed IPC’s commitment to strengthening awareness and implementation of pharmacopoeial standards through continued engagement with regulators, industry and academia across different regions of India, thereby contributing to the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines for the public.
DI/NB/AXP/SS/SM/2026/364