We all expect the medicines we take – from cholesterol-lowering drugs to antibiotics or vaccines – to be safe, effective and of high quality. The European Pharmacopoeia (also referred to as the Ph. Eur.) plays a pivotal role in making sure that is the case. The Ph. Eur. is the legally binding reference book for the quality control of medicines and their ingredients for both humans and animals in Europe and beyond. It was created on 22 July 1964, when the Convention on the Elaboration of a European Pharmacopoeia was opened for signature. Today, it is elaborated and published by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe.
As a tangible testament to the convention’s significance, 39 member states of the Council of Europe and the European Union, together with 32 observers from around the globe, contribute to the work of the European Pharmacopoeia Commission, the governing body of the Ph. Eur. The large network of signatories showcases the collective commitment to upholding the highest standards in pharmaceutical quality, and together they contribute to the Ph. Eur.’s continual development, making it one of the most respected and widely recognised pharmacopoeias worldwide.
As the European Pharmacopoeia approaches its 60th anniversary in 2024, it stands as a symbol of Europe’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring access to good quality medicines and healthcare. Its rigorous standards have contributed to the well-being of millions of people across the continent – and beyond.
The EDQM’s work in the field of public health had been seminal. Today, the EDQM, which is part of the Council of Europe, is recognised as a leading organisation in protecting public health. It ensures the availability of and access to good quality and safe medicines, substances of human origin and consumer health products from their initial development to use by patients and healthcare professionals.
