National Formulary of India

National Formulary of India

News: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the Sixth Edition of National Formulary of India (NFI).

Details:
• NFI has been published by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) to promote rational use of medicines in the country.NFI, 2021 would act a guidance document for all the healthcare professionals such as clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists etc. It will play a crucial role in daily clinical practices.
• Medicines behave differently in different bodies. It is important to know about the content, impact and side effects of medicines. The NFI is published to promote rational use of medicines in the country. It will be very beneficial for Clinicians and Healthcare professionals while prescribing the medicines to the patients.
• The 6th Edition of NFI 2021 has been drafted by adopting the principle ‘do not miss critical and do not overload’ the information by revising the appendices, chapters and drug monographs.
• The salient feature of this edition includes:
• 34 therapeutic categories chapters including 591 drug monographs and 23 appendices are included in this edition.
• The NFI is aligned with National Health Programmes and National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
• Important Weblinks related to NLEM, Drugs banned in India, NHP, Drugs banned in sports, Immunization schedule, wherever necessary are provided for information to readers.
• Special note on “How to use NFI?” and Salient Features of NFI are added in this edition.
• Only indications approved by the Indian drug regulator (CDSCO), clinically relevant and as per standard care are included
• the term ‘availability’ is now replaced with ‘dosage forms and usual strength’
• Only the clinically relevant precautions and contraindications are included
• the common or the serious and clinically relevant adverse effects are included
• Storage conditions for medicines are included for special cases only
• Chapter on Medicines banned in sports in previous edition has been considered under appendices in this edition
• Considering the prevalence of diabetes in the country a separate Chapter on Management of Diabetes is included after revising completely
• New appendix on Good Distribution Practices is incorporated
• Appendix on National Immunization Schedule and IAP Immunization Schedule is revised as per current schedule.