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The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) in collaboration with Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, is organizing a focused scientific conference on March 11, 2026 aimed at strengthening blood transfusion services through updated pharmacopoeial standards and regulatory alignment. Among the key highlights, the conference will discuss blood and blood components standards in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026.
The IP 2026, the 10th edition of India’s official book of drug standards, has introduced blood component monographs or quality standards in transfusion medicine for the first time. These quality standards or monographs will prevent the occurrence of blood transfusion transmitted infections. These monographs or quality standards are aligned with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) manual and other international guidelines.
“This conference will, therefore, be instrumental in advancing standardized, safe, and quality-assured blood transfusion practices across India,” according to an official associated with the development.
The IPC is an autonomous institution under the ministry of health & family welfare, Government of India, established to set and regularly update high-quality standards for drugs (monographs) produced and consumed in India, published as the IP.
Expert speakers from the IPC, drug regulatory authority, transfusion medicine and World Health Organisation (WHO) will deliberate on relevant topics and areas of interest. Key topics of the conference are Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 – An Overview, Blood and Blood Components: Regulatory Landscape, Pharmacopoeial Standards – Technical Specifications and Quality Control, Rational Use of Blood and Blood Components and Skilling Manpower.
Professionals from Delhi/NCR, who would participate in the event are Blood Centre Medical Officers & Technical Staff, Quality Control (QC)/Quality Assurance (QA) Managers, Centres performing irradiation of Blood Components, Licensing and Compliance Coordinators and Regulatory Professionals.
The inclusion of 20 blood component monographs pertaining to transfusion medicine in the IP 2026, is in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics (Second Amendment) Rules, 2020.
Union minister for health and family welfare and chemicals and fertilizers J P Nadda, released the IP 2026 in New Delhi earlier this year towards strengthening the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines.
The IPC has developed general requirements and monographs or quality standards for blood and blood components from human source to ensure safe blood transfusion for patients in the country. Pan India experts from reputed institutions and blood centres have also contributed towards the development of these standards.
Publication of these quality standards in IP 2026 ensures the quality and safety of blood and blood components used in transfusion medicine.
Blood transfusion is a procedure in which whole blood or parts of blood are put into a patient's bloodstream through a vein. The blood may be donated by another person or it may have been taken from the patient and stored as per regulatory requirements. People need safe blood transfusions to replace lost blood or specific blood components due to injury, surgery, or illness. Transfusions are vital for conditions like severe anaemia, major surgery, accidents, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and inherited blood disorders.
The newly developed monographs for blood and blood components and general requirements integrate harmonized testing into a public standard, maintaining quality throughout the shelf-life of the product. By promoting the use of quality drugs and mitigating the risk of sub-standard medicines and practices, these quality standards directly contribute to the reduction of adverse effects and are the most crucial measure to safeguard patient well-being against public health catastrophes.
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