IPC Launches New Phytopharmaceutical Standards at NIPER Guwahati Conclave
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission launched twelve new phytopharmaceutical reference standards during a scientific conclave at NIPER Guwahati.
Mathura, August 29, 2026: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an organization operating under the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, held a scientific conclave at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Guwahati on August 27, 2026. The event, titled “Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026: Advancing Quality, Safety, and Innovation in Drugs, Food and Phytopharmaceuticals,” marked the first time this interactive session was hosted in the Northeast region of India.
The gathering served as a forum for stakeholders and experts representing academia, regulatory bodies, and scientific institutions to discuss strategies for improving the standardization and quality of phytopharmaceuticals nationwide.
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A central development during the meeting was the introduction of new reference standards by the IPC. The commission launched seven Indian Pharmacopoeia Phytochemical Reference Standards (IPPRS) and five Indian Pharmacopoeia Botanical Reference Standards (IPBRS). This marks the first occasion that the IPC has introduced these specific types of reference standards.
The new IPPRS and IPBRS include: – Phytochemicals: Andrographolide, Capsaicin, Embelin, Eugenol, Marmelosin/Imperatorin, Scopoletin, and Umbelliferone. – Botanical standards: Terminalia arjuna, Bacopa monnieri, Tinospora cordifolia, Centella asiatica, and Ocimum sanctum.
During the event, Prof. Ashok Puranik, Executive Director of AIIMS-Guwahati, officially launched these standards. In his address, he characterized the introduction of these tools as a significant move toward improving the safety, quality, and scientific validation of plant-based medicinal products.
Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, delivered the inaugural address. He underscored the necessity of close collaboration with the NIPER Guwahati laboratory to uphold rigorous quality standards for phytopharmaceuticals. According to Dr. Kalaiselvan, such partnerships are essential for promoting plant-derived medicines that meet quality-assurance requirements and for advancing scientific standardization.
The conclave was attended by various officials, including Dr. B. Kumar of the CDSCO (EZ) and Dr. Ethengbemo Ezung, an ADC from Nagaland.
The initiative is intended to facilitate the development of evidence-based medicines derived from medicinal plants. By providing a framework for quality control and therapeutic evaluation, these new standards are expected to support the growth of the phytopharmaceutical sector. Ultimately, the commission aims to increase the availability of effective and affordable plant-based therapeutic options, while fostering innovation and further scientific research within the industry. Through this interface between traditional knowledge and modern science, the IPC expects to strengthen the country’s contribution to the global pharmaceutical sector.
Source: PIB — Press Releases RSS
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