Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel Launches 7th National Formulary 2026 and Bio-vigilance Programme
The Union Minister of State has approved a new digital initiative and a bio-vigilance programme to strengthen patient safety and drug monitoring.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare as well as Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, launched several significant initiatives during the Sixth National Pharmacovigilance Week organized by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. On this occasion, she launched the 7th National Formulary 2026, a guidance document for monitoring adverse events related to medical devices, and the ADR-PvPI 2.0 mobile app for iOS users.
Expanding the patient safety framework, Smt. Anupriya Patel announced the approval of India's 'Bio-vigilance Programme'. Under this program, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will play a key role in monitoring, evaluating, and preventing adverse effects associated with biological products and medicines used in organ and tissue transplantation.
Discussing India's progress in the field of pharmacovigilance, the Minister of State noted that India's contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO) patient safety database has risen from 123rd place during 2009-2014 to 8th place globally. She stated that there are currently approximately 1,150 adverse drug reaction monitoring centers operating in the country, with plans to extend these to primary healthcare centers in the future.
Regarding the 7th National Formulary 2026, it was explained that this guidebook will provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the rational and safe use of medicines. This edition comprises a total of 34 chapters, 20 appendices, and 653 medicines, including 42 fixed-dose combinations and 30 immunological drugs. The document is also available in digital format.
Smt. Patel called for the adoption of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, to further strengthen drug safety systems. She emphasized that 'drug safety is everyone's responsibility' and that reporting every adverse effect can save a life.
The Sixth National Pharmacovigilance Week, observed from September 17 to 23, 2026, is based on the theme "Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance: A Step Towards Safe Healthcare." The event was attended by several senior officials and experts, including WHO representative Dr. Ivan J.-F. Huttin, Prof. Y.K. Gupta, President of AIIMS Kalyani, and Dr. V.M. Katoch, Secretary of the Department of Health Research.
