The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the 7th edition of the National Formulary of India and announced a new Biovigilance Programme to strengthen patient safety across the country. The announcements were made by Minister of State Anupriya Patel at the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week programme in New Delhi. These initiatives aim to improve medicine safety monitoring and the quality of healthcare provided to Indian patients.
What has been announced
The 7th National Formulary of India 2026 has been released in both print and digital formats. The formulary contains 653 drugs, including 42 fixed-dose combinations and 30 immunologicals, spread across 34 chapters and 20 appendices. It serves as a guide for healthcare professionals on rational and safe use of medicines.
The Government has also approved the Biovigilance Programme of India. Under this programme, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will monitor adverse events linked to organ and tissue transplantation, covering medicines and biological products given to both donors and recipients.
Additional digital tools have been launched, including the ADR-PvPI 2.0 Mobile App for iOS users and a Guidance Document for Hospitals for monitoring medical device-related adverse events.
Currently, around 1,150 Adverse Drug Reaction reporting centres operate across public and private hospitals and medical colleges. The government plans to extend this network to primary healthcare centres.
Key performance indicators
- India has moved from 123rd position (2009-2014) to 8th globally in contributions to the WHO patient safety database
- Around 25 countries recognise and accept the Indian Pharmacopoeia
- The 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week runs from 17 to 23 September 2026
What this means for you
Healthcare professionals now have access to updated guidance on safe and rational medicine use through the new formulary. Patients and medical staff can more easily report adverse drug reactions through expanded digital platforms and mobile applications. Over time, the expansion of reporting centres to primary health centres will make it simpler for people at the grassroots level to flag medicine-safety concerns. These efforts aim to create a healthcare system where every reported adverse event contributes to safer treatment practices for all Indians.