Nicaragua has made a significant diplomatic move by becoming the first Spanish-speaking country to formally acknowledge the Indian Pharmacopoeia or Indian Pharma standards. This decision comes after the Governments of India and Nicaragua signed a MoU on Pharmacopoeia Cooperation.

The MoU highlights a mutual dedication to cooperation in pharmaceutical regulation, representing a significant stride towards the global alignment of medicine standards. The ceremony took place in Nicaragua's capital, where Dr. Sumit Seth, the Indian Ambassador to Nicaragua, and Dr. Martha Reyes, Nicaragua's Minister of Health, signed the MoU.

The initiative is poised to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Nicaragua, particularly in healthcare, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources to enhance medical standards.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia, curated by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in India, serves as the authoritative compendium of drug standards.

Published in its latest edition in 2022, the IP encompasses more than 3,000 monographs, setting precise specifications and testing procedures for both raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia holds considerable legal significance within India, as it is enshrined in the Second Schedule of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, requiring compliance with its standards for all drugs imported, manufactured, and distributed domestically. Nicaragua's recognition of the IP further enhances its international prestige and impact.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, an autonomous institute mandated to publish the IP periodically, has established this document as a pivotal benchmark for pharmaceutical standards.

Nicaragua's acknowledgement of the Indian Pharmacopoeia aligns with similar recognitions from five other nations - Afghanistan, Ghana, Nepal, Mauritius, and Suriname - which have already emphasized their role in guaranteeing the quality and safety of medicinal products. This formal recognition underscores the increasing significance of standardized regulations in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Image source: WION News