News: In January 2026, India rose to 8th position globally in contributions to the WHO Pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase), marking a significant improvement from its 123rd rank a decade ago. This coincided with the release of the 10th Edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2026).
Key Pillars for UPSC:
- VigiBase & Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC): VigiBase is the WHO global database for Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs). India’s jump signifies a robust reporting culture for Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).
- Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI): Launched in 2010 and coordinated by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad. It acts as the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for monitoring drug safety.
- Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 Highlights:
- Monographs: Includes 3,340 monographs (121 new ones), covering anti-TB, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer drugs.
- Global South Leadership: IP is now recognized in 19 countries, facilitating "Pharma Diplomacy" and easing exports to developing nations.
- First-time Inclusions: 20 blood component monographs (transfusion medicine), making India a global pioneer in this standardisation.
- Mains Value-Add: Use this to discuss "India as the Pharmacy of the World." It shifts the narrative from India being just a "volume producer" of generics to a "quality and safety leader."
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
