Pharmacopoeia

The different types of Pharmacopoeias

There are several types of pharmacopoeias:

• European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.): Applied in all Council of Europe member states, it establishes harmonised standards for medicines, excipients and finished products.
• United States Pharmacopeia (USP-NF): Standard in force in the United States, covering medicines, medical devices and food supplements.
• Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP): Essential for ensuring the compliance of products intended for the Japanese market, with specific criteria.
• Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP): Includes standards dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine, while also adapting to modern products.
• National pharmacopoeias: Some countries, such as France, maintain specific pharmacopoeias to meet particular needs.

Pharmacopoeias differ in terms of their analytical requirements, the regulated active substances, and the medicinal products considered. Major bodies (such as the WHO or the EU) are working towards global harmonisation to reduce these disparities.

Why is the Pharmacopoeia essential?

Safety: It guarantees the quality and safety of products, thereby reducing risks to public health.

Traceability: It allows raw materials and finished products to be tracked throughout their life cycle, from manufacturer to consumer.

International harmonisation: It facilitates trade and access to international markets by ensuring universal quality standards.

The Pharmacopoeia is therefore an essential pillar for the reliability of health industries and consumer wellbeing.