ABSTRACT
Pharmacopoeia literally means “drug-making”. Pharmacopoeia is a book describing drugs, chemicals and medicinal preparations; this pertains especially to one issued by an officially recognized authority and serving as a standard. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is a legal document of standards for the quality of Ayurvedic drugs and substances included therein. The traditional medicines and natural/herbal products have a global demand. Therefore, the proposed Commission will work on the lines of other pharmacopoeia commissions of the world like US Pharmacopoeia Commission, EU Pharmacopoeia Commission and British Pharmacopoeia Commission. The Pharmacopoeia is necessarily a dynamic concern and updating of standards is an ongoing exercise and it cannot be done by anyone other than an independent body, which alone can ensure promptness and indepth studies - essential features of this exercise. Publication and revision of the Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Pharmacopoeia of India at suitable intervals and of such addenda or supplementary compendia during the intervening periods as may be deemed necessary.
