India launched the 7th National Formulary of India and a new Biovigilance Programme on September 21.
The launch was held in New Delhi by Minister of State Anupriya Patel.
The formulary covers 653 drug monographs across 34 chapters.
The Biovigilance Programme will monitor adverse events linked to medicines and biological products, including in organ transplantation.
Officials said the moves are meant to widen India’s patient-safety net.
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.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare oversees national programmes related to drug safety and regulation in India.
The 7th edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI 2026) was launched on September 21, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
It was launched by Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers.
The launch took place during the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week campaign.
Pharmacy in India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
