By The 7th edition of the National Formulary of India has been made available digitally through NFI Online.
It links to information on National Health Programmes, immunisation schedules and Jan Aushadhi.
The digital edition also includes guidance on safe disposal of unused or expired medicines.
It was launched on September 21 by Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
The edition covers 653 drug monographs.
The 7th edition of the NFI features 34 chapters, 20 appendices and 653 drug monographs.
It also includes 42 fixed-dose combinations and 30 immunological products.
The National Formulary of India is a reference publication containing standard information on medicines used in the country.
It is designed to assist doctors, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, teachers and students in the appropriate use of medicines.
The 7th edition has been made available digitally through NFI Online.
The digital version links to information on National Health Programmes, immunisation schedules and Jan Aushadhi.
It also includes guidance on the safe disposal of unused or expired pharmaceutical products.
Alongside the NFI launch, the government approved a new Biovigilance Programme of India.
Under the Biovigilance Programme, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will strengthen reporting, assessment, monitoring and prevention of adverse events linked to medicines and biological products.
The Biovigilance Programme also covers products used in organ and tissue transplantation, including those administered to donors and recipients.
The initiative is intended to widen India’s overall patient-safety net.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is the national body responsible for setting standards for drugs manufactured and sold in India.
Pharmacovigilance refers to the science of detecting, assessing and preventing adverse effects associated with medicines.
The National Pharmacovigilance Week campaign is held annually to raise awareness about reporting adverse drug reactions.
Earlier editions of the National Formulary of India have been used as a reference by prescribers across government and private healthcare settings.
Pharmacy in India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
