NFI

National Formulary of India

5th Edition
2016

Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

INDIAN PHARMACOPOEIA COMMISSION

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India

I NFI-2016
 2016, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system/transmitted in any form by any means such
as electronic, mechanical including photocopying, recording
or otherwise without the prior written permission of the
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission.

ISBN-978-93-81238-02-8

NFI, 5th Edition

On behalf of : Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Produced & published by : Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission,
Government of India, Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare
Sector 23, Raj Nagar,
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Tel: (91-120)-2783401
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Science Communication And
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Price: ` 600/-

NFI-2016 II
 Disclaimer
NFI is not a regulatory document. It is a reference document
for health professionals. Physicians are supposed to use their
professional experience, judgment etc while prescribing
medicines or adopting treatment regimes. Treatment regimes
in respect of the diseases and ailments included in this
document may also change from time to time and users are
advised to adopt the changed regimes. The references to
statutory provisions/ requirements etc are based on the status
of such provisions at the time of compilation of this document.
Users are advised to refer to the statutory document concerned
for updates. The contents such as Indications, Strength
etc included are based on the inputs available to the IPC.
These shall not form the basis for any user or stakeholder to
seek immunity under the New Drug status as specified in
the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. In the event of any
dispute in any of the content of these document and the
statutes, the statutory provisions shall prevail. Where the use
of any drug is banned in the country by the authority
concerned, the monograph or other content of this document
shall stand deleted or modified as the situation may demand.
Where there is any anomaly between the content of NFI and
any other non-statutory Official document exists, the decision
of the Government or the implementing authority will prevail.

III NFI-2016
 Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
Mission
To promote public and animal health in India by bringing out authoritative
and officially accepted standards for quality of drugs including active
pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients and dosage forms, used by health
professionals, patients and consumers.

Vision
To promote the highest standards of drugs for use in human and animals
within practical limits of the technologies available for manufacture and
analysis.

Objectives
To develop comprehensive monographs for drugs to be included
in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, including active pharmaceutical
ingredients, pharmaceutical aids and dosage forms as well as
medical devices and to keep them updated by revision on a regular
basis.
To develop monographs for herbal drugs, both raw drugs and
extracts/formulations therefrom.
To accord priority to monographs of drugs included in the National
Essential Medicines List and their dosage forms.
To take note of the different levels of sophistication in analytical
testing/instrumentation available while framing the monographs.
To accelerate the process of preparation, certification and
distribution of IP Reference Substances, including the related
substances, impurities and degradation products.
To collaborate with pharmacopoeias like the Ph Eur, BP, USP, JP,
ChP and International Pharmacopoeia with a view to harmonizing
with global standards.
To review existing monographs periodically with a view
to deleting obsolete ones and amending those requiring
upgrading/revision.
To organize educational programs and research activities for
spreading and establishing awareness on the need and scope of
quality standards for drugs and related articles/materials.
To publish the National Formulary of India for updating medical
practitioners and other healthcare professionals.
To act as a National Coordination Centre for Pharmacovigilance
Programme of India.

NFI-2016 IV
 Contents
Page No.
Preface VIII
Introduction XV
Acknowledgements XVIII
List of Medicines Monographs in NFI XXI
List of Medicines deleted from NFI XXXIX
Common Abbreviations XL
General Advice to Prescribers XLVI
1. Analgesics, Antipyretics, Non-Steroidal Anti-
Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) 3
2. Antacids and Antiulcer Drugs 19
3. Antiallergics and Drugs Used in Anaphylaxis 31
4. Anti-Alzheimer and Anti-Parkinsonism Drugs 43
5. Anticonvulsants/Antiepileptics 53
6. Antidiarrhoeals and Laxatives 75
7. Antidotes and Substances Used in Poisoning 87
8. Antiemetics 105
9. Anti-Infectives 113
10. Antimigraine Drugs 251
11. Antineoplastics and Immunosuppressants 257
12. Antiseptics and Disinfectants 289
13. Basics of Medical Emergencies 297
14. Cardiovascular Drugs 305
15. Dermatological Drugs 377
16. Diagnostic Agents 399
17. Dialysis Fluids 409
18. Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
(DMARDs) and Drugs for Gout 413
19. Diuretics 425
20. Drugs in Osteoporosis 433
21. Drugs for Anaesthesia 439
22. Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease 461

V NFI-2016
23. Drugs for Myasthenia Gravis 469
24. Drugs for Oral Health 475
25. Drugs for Respiratory Diseases 485
26. Hormones, Contraceptives and Related Drugs 509
27. Immunologicals 579
28. Medicines banned in Sports 605
29. Muscle Relaxants 613
30. Ophthalmological Preparations 621
31. Psychotherapeutic Drugs 645
32. Solutions Correcting Water, Electrolyte and
Acid Base Disturbances 699
33. Vitamins, Minerals and Antianaemic Drugs 711

Appendices
Appendix 1: Antimicrobial Resistance 737
Appendix 2: Advisories related to Medicines 741
Appendix 3: Calculation of Electrolytes 742
Appendix 4: Causality assessment of adverse drug
reactions 746
Appendix 5: Common Drugs Causing Severe
Allergic Reactions 749
Appendix 6: Common Laboratory Parameters 751
Appendix 7: Disposal of Unused/Expired
Pharmaceutical Products 756
Appendix 8: Domiciliary Care of seizures 762
Appendix 9: Poisons Information Centres in India 765
Appendix 10: Drug Interactions
a. DrugAlcohol Interactions 767
b. DrugContraceptive Interactions 769
c. DrugDrug Interactions 773
d. DrugFood Interactions 853
Appendix 11: Drugs used in Special Conditions
a. Hepatic Impairment 857
b. Lactation 865
c. Pregnancy 877
d. Renal Impairment 880

NFI-2016 VI
Appendix 12: Drugs banned in India
(From year 2008 onwards) 884
Appendix 13: National Health Programmes (NHPs) 885
Appendix 14: National Immunisation and IAP
Immunisation Schedule 887
Appendix 15: National List of Essential Medicines
of India, 2011 890
Appendix 16: Pharmacogenetics 898
Appendix 17: Pharmacovigilance Programme of
India 905
Appendix 18: Pictograms 907
Appendix 19: Principles of Dose Calculation in
Special Conditions
a. Pediatrics 910
b. Geriatrics 913
Appendix 20: Storage of Medicines 916
Appendix 21: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 919
Appendix 22: Tips for Healthy Life Style 922
Index 924

VII NFI-2016
 Preface

The first, second and third editions of National Formulary

of India (NFI) were published in 1960, 1966 and 1979
respectively by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India.
In the past 3 decades there has been vast expansion in the
range of new drugs and their formulations. To address the
need of publication of an updated version of NFI,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India vide
their Notification No. F.No.X.11035/2/06- DFQC dated
8th May, 2008 assigned this mandatory responsibility to the
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad and
hence the NFI is being published by the IPC on behalf of
the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The fourth edition of NFI was brought out by the IPC
in 2011. To publish the 5th Edition of NFI 2016, a High
Power Committee was constituted by the Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India vide letter
No 11020/4/2012- DFQC dated 23rd Jul 2012, to identify the
experts. The Committee consisted of:

HIGH POWER COMMITTEE

1. Dr V. M. Katoch, Ex-Secretary, Department of Health
Research (DHR) and Director General, Indian Council of
Medical Research, New Delhi.
2. Prof. Y. K. Gupta, Head, Department of Pharmacology,
AIIMS, New Delhi.
3. Prof. K.K. Talwar, Ex-Chairman, Board of Governors,
Medical Council of India, New Delhi.
4. Dr G.N. Singh, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director,
IP Commission, Ghaziabad and DCG(I), FDA Bhawan,
New Delhi.

NFI-2016 VIII
Other Important Committees for NFI,
5th Edition, 2016
APEX BODY
Chairman: Secretary (Ex-officio), Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare, Govt. of India.

Members
1. Dr V. M. Katoch, Ex-Secretary, DHR and Director General,
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

2. Dr Jagdish Prasad, Director General, Directorate General

of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Govt. of India, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.

3. Additional Secretary and DG (Ex-officio), Ministry

of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India,
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.

4. Joint Secretary, Regulation (Ex-officio), Ministry of

Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Nirman
Bhawan, New Delhi.

5. Prof. B. Suresh, Chairman, Scientific Body, Indian

Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad.

6. Prof. Y. K. Gupta, Head, Department of Pharmacology

AIIMS, New Delhi.

7. Mr. P. D. Sheth, Ex-Vice President, The International

Pharmaceutical Federation, The Hague, The Netherlands.

8. Prof. T. M. Mohapatra, Ex-Director & Dean, Institute of

Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi.

9. Dr Nitya Anand, Ex-Director, CDRI, Lucknow.

10. Dr G. N. Singh, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director,

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad and
DCG(I), FDA Bhawan, New Delhi.

IX NFI-2016
CORE GROUP
Chairpersons: Prof. B. Suresh and Prof. Y.K. Gupta
Member Secretary: Dr. G. N. Singh
1. Director (Drugs) (Ex-officio), Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
2. Prof. Praveen Aggarwal, Department of Emergency
Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi.
3. Dr Veena Gupta, Consultant, Department of
Radiotherapy, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
4. Dr Jai Prakash, Senior Principal Scientific Officer,
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad.
5. Dr G.C. Khilnani, Ex-Professor, Department of
Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi.
6. Prof. Lalit Kumar, Dr. B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary
Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi.
7. Mr P.D. Sheth, Ex-Vice President, The International
Pharmaceutical Federation, The Hague, The Netherlands.
8. Dr Pramil Tiwari, Professor and Head, Department of
Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education & Research, Mohali, Punjab.
9. Mr A.K. Pradhan, Deputy Drugs Controller (India),
CDSCO North Zone, Ghaziabad.
10. Dr Bishwa Mohan Padhy, Assistant Professor,
Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
11. Dr Bikash Medhi, Additional Professor, Department of
Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
12. Dr D. Roy, Deputy Drugs Controller (India) (Retd),
CDSCO, North Zone, Ghaziabad.
13. Mr Ramesh Adige, Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce &
Industry, New Delhi.
14. Mr Pradeep Mishra, Professional Secretary, SEARPharm,
Forum, New Delhi.

NFI-2016 X
SUBJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE
Chairman : Prof. Y. K. Gupta
Member Secretary : Dr Jai Prakash
The manuscript was reviewed and the contents updated to
align with Indian context by the Subject Review Committee.
1. Dr Sridhar Dwivedi, Professor of Medicine/Preventive
Cardiology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and
Research, Associated Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary
Hospital, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University),
New Delhi-110062.
2. Mr S. S. Venkatakrishnan, Drugs Controller (Retd),
Kerala State, Thiruvananthapuram.
3. Dr Pooja Gupta, Assistant Professor, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
4. Dr Sheffali Gulati, Professor, Department of Pediatric
Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
5. Dr Pramil Tiwari, Professor and Head, Department of
Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education & Research, Mohali, Punjab.
6. Dr Prafull Kumar, Senior Resident, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
7. Dr N. Harivenkatesh, Senior Resident, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
8. Dr Ekta Arora, Senior Resident, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
9. Dr Guruprasad, Senior Resident, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
10. Dr Harmanjit Singh, Senior Resident, Department of
Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
11. Dr Shyam Sunder Sharma, Professor, Department of
Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Mohali, Punjab.
12. Dr V Kalaiselvan, Principal Scientific Officer, Indian
Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad.

XI NFI-2016
13. Dr Biswa Mohan Padhy, Assistant Professor,
Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
14. Dr R K Sanghavi, Chairman, Medical Sub-Committee,
IDMA, Mumbai.
15. Dr Madhur Gupta, Technical Officer, WHO-India
(Country Office), New Delhi.
16. Dr R.N. Gupta, Professor, Birla Institute of Technology
(BITS), Mesra, Ranchi.

17. Dr Vijaylaxmi Nag, Professor and Head, Department of

Microbiology, AIIMS, Jodhpur.

18. Dr Rajat Ray, Ex-Professor and Head, Department of

Psychiatry, & Chief, National Drug Dependence
Treatment Centre , All India Institute Medical Sciences,
New Delhi.

19. Dr Alka Beotra, Scientific Director, National Dope

Testing Laboratory, Min. of Youth Affairs and Sports,
New Delhi.

20. Dr Vijay Mathur, Additional Professor, Department of

Dental Research AIIMS, New Delhi.

21. Dr Neena Valecha, Director, National Institute of Malaria

Research, Dwarka, New Delhi.

22. Dr Deepali Anvikar, Scientist C, National Institute of

Malaria Research, Dwarka, New Delhi.

23. Prof. Anoop Mishra, Chairman, Fortis-C-DOC Centre

of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and
Endocrinology, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj and SDA,
New Delhi.

24. Dr Ritesh Gupta, Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence

for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology,
Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj and SDA, New Delhi.

25. Dr Bikash Medhi, Additional Professor, Department of

Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

NFI-2016 XII
26. Dr B. Gupta, Professor and Head, Department of
Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

27. Dr Jatinder Dhillon, Assistant Professor, Maulana Azad

Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi.

IPC Scientific team

Dr Jai Prakash (Chief Coordinator), Dr V. Kalaiselvan,
Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey, Dr M. Kalaivani, Mr K. K. Singh
Ms Amandeep Bhatia, Mr Ashish Kushwaha,
Ms Shruti Rastogi, Ms Neha Singh, Dr Divya Kaushik,
Mr Hariom Singh.

The Criteria for Inclusion of Drugs in NFI:

Drugs in National List of Essential Medicines 2011, India
Drugs used in National Health Programmes
Drugs listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia
Drugs not covered but recommended by panel of experts
Any drug (s) considered appropriate by the IPC

The Criteria for Exclusion of Drugs from NFI:

Drugs banned in India
Obsolete Drugs
Drugs considered inappropritate by IPC

XIII NFI-2016
NFI Review Process
To fulfil the mandate of publishing the NFI, the following
process has been adopted:

To Fulfil the mandate of publishing the NFI,

the following has been adopted:

High Powered Committee

(for identification of experts and major policy decision)

Policy Framework by Apex Body

NFI 4th Edition & WHO Model Formulary as base document

Review by Core Group

Modification suggested by Subject Review Committee

Review by Core group

Approval by Apex Body

Draft content of NFI uploaded on the website of
IPC for public comments and comments requested
individually also from the targeted experts

Review and incorporation of public comments

Adoption for NFI

NFI is not a regulatory document. Physicians are supposed to

use their professional judgment. Inclusion/Exclusion of
monographs in NFI is a dynamic process. The drugs contained
in NFI have been chosen for rational and economic
prescribing. NFI would serve as a guidance document to
medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, medical and
pharmacy students, and other healthcare professionals and
stakeholders in healthcare system. The feedback from
stakeholders will be useful for further improvement.

NFI-2016 XIV
 Introduction

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is pleased to present

the 5th edition of National Formulary of India 2016. This
edition follows the 4th edition which was published in 2011.
The principal objective of the 5th edition continues to be
promotion of rational use of medicines. To achieve this
objective, the monographs of drugs comprise the clinical
indications, strengths of formulations and major adverse drug
reactions. This edition includes medicines listed in the
National List of Essential Medicines, other medicines
frequently prescribed by clinicians and medicines for use in
Indias public health programs and National Health Missions.
The scope of this edition has been expanded substantially by
incorporating several important Chapters. Some of these are:
A total of 33 chapters by therapeutic categories, 521 total
drug monographs including 33 fixed dose combinations,
20 immunologicals and 12 vitamins form an integral part of
this Formulary. Introductory parts of all chapters are fully
revised. The specific drug monographs are arranged in
alphabetical order. The drugs listed in National List of
Essential Medicines, 2011 can be easily identified
from the superscripted asterisk. The change of the regulatory
status of a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules -
Schedule H into Schedule H and H1 - has been reflected under
the specific drug monographs.
The chapter on diabetes mellitus has been updated according
to current treatment scenario. Similarly, chapters on drugs
used in treatment of psychiatric disorders, substance use and
antiepileptic/anticonvulsant drugs have been updated.
Athletes and other sports persons may be prescribed
inadvertently drugs banned in sports. To avoid the situation,
a chapter on medicines banned in sports is incorporated.
Malaria has become one of the major challenging health
problems and therefore the chapter on Antimalarial drugs is
thoroughly revised keeping in view the current national guidelines.

XV NFI-2016
Fixed dose combinations of various therapeutic categories
are available in the market. The scope of fixed dose
combinations is expanded, but limited to those falling under
the categories of drugs included as mentioned earlier with a
view to promote their rational use. The additional FDCs
incorporated in this edition are :

Additional Fixed-Dose combinations

1. Acriflavin + Glycerin
2. Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide
3. Artemether + Lumefantrine
4. Arterolane + Piperaquine
5. Artesunate + Mefloquine
6. Artesunate + Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine
7. Etophylline + Theophylline
8. Iron Salts + Folic Acid
9. Lignocaine Hydrochloride + Adrenaline
10. Lignocaine + Prilocaine
11. Stavudine + Lamivudine
Keeping in view the drugs which do not stand the test of time
in their safety and efficacy and withdrawn from the market or
have become obsolete based on clinical evidence are omitted.
Likewise, a list of banned drugs in India since 2008 onwards
has been included in this edition.
The 5th edition contains unique supplementary information
through appendices thereby adding further value for the users.
There are 22 appendices in all including the appendices on
reporting of adverse drug reactions and their causality
assessment. Common drugs causing severe allergic reactions
have been clubbed together in a new appendix. For the
healthcare professionals, relevant information on Basics of
medical emergencies is included. For protecting and
promoting oral health a new chapter Drugs for oral health
is also incorporated.

NFI-2016 XVI
Improper storage conditions lead to deterioration of drug
products, therefore, appropriate information is provided in
the chapter on Storage of medicines. The information on
poison centers and general advice to prescribers have been
updated. Advisories related to medicines add further value in
this edition.
NFI 2016 also covers important medicines which are useful
in management of some rare diseases. The list of life saving
drugs may be accessed at www.cghs.nic.in. Many life saving
drugs are covered in this edition.
The stakeholders of NFI which include clinicians,
pharmacists, nurses, patients, trainers, students and other
health care providers both in the rural and urban settings will
find the 5th edition highly informative and useful.

XVII NFI-2016
 Acknowledgements

We are pleased to present the 5th Edition of National Formulary

of India. It has been brought out after a gap of 5 years since
last edition in 2011. This edition incorporates the changes,
new chapters, specific drug monographs and the appendices
based on the current knowledge.

Valuable inputs that emerged during the meetings of the Core

Group, Subject Review Committee and the feedback on the
4th Edition of NFI have given this edition a unique feature by
incorporating value added informations. The Commission is
greatly indebted to the Members of the High Power Committee
for identifying the experts for this edition.

The Commission expresses its deep gratitude to the

chairman(s) and the members of the Apex body, Core Group
and the Subject Review Committee from diverse fields
who consented to review the manuscript of the Formulary.
The services of all these experts are appreciated.

Dr Jai Prakash, Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Indian

Pharmacopoeia Commission played a key role in every step in
bringing out this edition of NFI including coordination with
different Expert Committees, contributing in updating and
editing of NFI. He was supported by Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey,
Dr M Kalaivani, Mr Ashish Kushwaha, Ms Amandeep,
Ms Shruti Rastogi, Ms Neha Singh, Dr Divya Kaushik,
Ms Geetika Nirmal, Mr Arun Kumar Dahiya, Mr Hariom Singh.
Special thanks go to the members who prepared new
appendices and updated the previous appendices.

Prof Y. K. Gupta deserves a special mention and thanks

for his crucial role in preparing and enriching the contents
of the formulary and by closely coordinating with his
colleagues throughout the course of preparation of this
formulary.

The vision and encouragement received from Padma Shri

Dr Nitya Anand is highly acknowledged.

NFI-2016 XVIII
This National Formulary has been thoroughly updated
for its content considering WHO Model Formulary
and NFI, 4th Edition 2011 as the base document, especially
keeping in view the end user in India for which we
wish to thank profusely Dr Y. K. Gupta, Dr Praveen
Aggarwal, the Resident Clinicians/Scientist team of
Dr Y. K. Gupta of the Department of Pharmacology
Dr N. Harivenktesh, Dr Prafull Mohan, Dr Ekta Arora,
Dr Guruprasad, Dr Harmanjit Singh, Dr S Venkatesan
at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
New Delhi.
The Commission is highly appreciative of the encouragement
and support received from the Secretary, Mr B P Sharma,
Ex-Secretary, Mr Lov Verma, Ex-Additional Secretary and
DG (CGHS), Mr R K Jain, Additional Secretary and
DG(CGHS), Mr Navneet Singh Kang, Ex-Joint Secretary
(Regulations), Dr Arun Kumar Panda, Joint Secretary
(Regulations), Mr K L Sharma, Ex-Director (Drugs),
Mr Sanjay Prasad, Director (Drugs), Dr Shailendra Kumar
and other officials of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Government of India.
The Commission appreciates the comments offered
by the stakeholders on the draft of NFI, 5th Edition. The
inputs received from the institutions, state governments and
stakeholders have helped to shape the 5th Edition.
The Commission acknowledges the significant contribution
of Prof. Y. K. Gupta and his team in critically analysing
the stakeholders comments received on draft of
5th Edition of NFI and suggesting appropriate action.
The technical support provided by Mr S S Venkatakrishnan
is gratefully acknowledged.
IPC thanks the officials for providing administrative, financial
and publication related support.
Secretarial assistance provided by Mr Vijaya Prasad,
Ms Reena Tripathi and Mr Muninder Punia is thankfully
acknowledged.

XIX NFI-2016
IPC also places on record thanks to the services of IPC
employees and subject experts who from time to time
provided their valuable inputs.
The Commission wishes to record its deep appreciation for
the inputs by the staff of the National Institute of Science
Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR),
particularly Smt. Deeksha Bist, Shri Shiv Kumar Marhkan,
Shri Pankaj Gupta, Smt. Neeru Sharma, Shri I. K. Sehgal,
Smt. Supriya Gupta, Shri A. K. Brahmi, Smt. Neeru Vijan,
Shri S. P. Singh and Shri Arun Uniyal in successfully bringing
out this publication.

Dr G. N. Singh
Secretary-cum-Scientific Director
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission

NFI-2016 XX
 List of Medicines Monographs in NFI

S. No. Medicines Page No.

1. Abacavir 225
2. Abciximab 344
3. Acamprosate 685
4. Acarbose 548
5. Acetazolamide 623
6. Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) 3
7. Actinomycin D (Dactinomycin) 259
8. Activated Charcoal 88
9. Acyclovir 246
10. Acyclovir gel 483
11. Adenosine 319
12. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) 31
13. Albendazole 178
14. Albumin 351
15. Alendronate 434
16. Allopurinol 422
17. Alpha Interferon 260
18. Alprazolam 647
19. Alteplase 346
20. Aluminium Hydroxide 21
21. Amikacin 206
22. Amiloride 426
23. Aminophylline 495
24. Amiodarone 319
25. Amitriptyline 656
26. Amlodipine 332
27. Amoxycillin 120
28. Amphotericin B 168

XXI NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
29. Ampicillin 124
30. Arteether 194
31. Artemether 194
32. Artesunate 195
33. Artificial saliva 482
34. Astringent gum paint 482
35. Atenolol 307
36. Atorvastatin 372
37. Atracurium Besylate 613
38. Atropine 92
39. Azathioprine 284
40. Azithromycin 126
41. Baclofen 614
42. Barium Sulphate 402
43. Beclomethasone 496
44. Benzathine Benzyl Penicillin 127
45. Benzocaine anesthetic gel 481
46. Benzoin Compound 290
47. Benzyl Benzoate 394
48. Benzyl Penicillin 127
49. Betamethasone 385
50. Betaxolol 624
51. Biperiden 47
52. Bisacodyl 79
53. Bleaching Powder 294
54. Bleomycin 261
55. Bromocriptine 48
56. Budesonide 497
57. Bupivacaine 450
58. Buprenorphine 687
59. Bupropion 688

NFI-2016 XXII
S. No. Medicines Page No.
60. Busulphan 262
61. Calamine 386
62. Calcium Carbonate 715
63. Calcium Disodium Edetate 89
64. Calcium Gluconate 716
65. Capreomycin 207
66. Carbamazepine 58
67. Carbimazole 575
68. Carboplatin 262
69. Cefazolin 128
70. Cefixime 129
71. Cefoperazone 130
72. Cefotaxime 130
73. Ceftazidime 132
74. Ceftriaxone 133
75. Centchroman (Non-steroidal
oral contraceptive) 512
76. Cephalexin 134
77. Cetirizine 32
78. Cetrimide 290
79. Chlorambucil 263
80. Chloramphenicol 136
81. Chlordiazepoxide 688
82. Chlorhexidine 290
83. Chlorhexidine gel 481
84. Chlorhexidine mouthwash 477
85. Chloroquine 188
86. Chloroxylenol 294
87. Chlorpheniramine 33
88. Chlorpromazine 667
89. Cinnarizine 34

XXIII NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
90. Ciprofloxacin 137
91. Cisplatin 264
92. Clarithromycin 139
93. Clindamycin 140
94. Clobazam 59
95. Clofazimine 198
96. Clomifene 562
97. Clomipramine 683
98. Clonazepam 60
99. Clonidine 333
100. Clopidogrel 347
101. Clotrimazole 169
102. Cloxacillin 142
103. Coaltar 389
104. Codeine 11
105. Colchicine 423
106. Condoms 521
107. Cyclophosphamide 265
108. Cycloserine 208
109. Cyclosporine 285
110. Cytosine Arabinoside (Cytarabine) 266
111. Dacarbazine 266
112. Danazol 537
113. Dapsone 199
114. Daunorubicin (Rubidomycin) 267
115. Dentifrices containing arginine and
calcium carbonate 476
116. Dentifrices containing potassium nitrate 476
117. Dentifrices containing
remineralizing agent 476
118. Desferrioxamine Mesylate 93

NFI-2016 XXIV
S. No. Medicines Page No.
119. Dexamethasone 35
120. Dextran-40 352
121. Dextran-70 353
122. Dextromethorphan 505
123. Diazepam 61
124. Diclofenac 5
125. Dicyclomine 462
126. Didanosine 226
127. Diethylcarbamazine 164
128. Digoxin 321
129. Dihydroergotamine 254
130. Diloxanide Furoate 114
131. Diltiazem 308
132. Dimercaprol (BAL) 94
133. Disulfiram 691
134. Dithranol 390
135. Dobutamine 368
136. Domperidone 105
137. Donepezil 43
138. Dopamine 369
139. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) 268
140. Doxycycline 144
141. D-Penicillamine 95
142. Drotaverine 615
143. Efavirenz 232
144. Enalapril 333
145. Enoxaparin 361
146. Ergometrine 565
147. Erythromycin 145
148. Erythropoietin 726
149. Escitalopram 658

XXV NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
150. Esmolol 309
151. Ethacridine Lactate 566
152. Ethambutol 208
153. Ether (Anaesthetic ether, Diethyl ether) 440
154. Ethinylestradiol 524
155. Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) 291
156. Etoposide 269
157. Ezetimibe 373
158. Factor IX Complex (Coagulation
Factors II, VII, IX, X) Concentrate 356
159. Factors VIII Concentrate 356
160. Famotidine 23
161. Fenofibrate 374
162. Fentanyl 12
163. Fexofenadine 36
164. Filgrastim 270
165. Fluconazole 170
166. Flucytosine 171
167. Flumazenil 97
168. Flunarizine 252
169. Fluorescein 400
170. Fluoridated dentifrices 475
171. 5-Fluorouracil 271
172. Fluoxetine 659
173. Fluphenazine Decanoate 671
174. Flutamide 525
175. Folinic Acid 272
176. Fosphenytoin 62
177. Framycetin 147
178. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) 357
179. Furazolidone 76

NFI-2016 XXVI
S. No. Medicines Page No.
180. Furosemide (Frusemide) 370
181. Gabapentin 63
182. Galantamine 44
183. Gamma Benzene Hexachloride (Lindane) 395
184. Gemcitabine 272
185. Gentamicin 148
186. Gentian Violet 292
187. Glibenclamide 548
188. Gliclazide 549
189. Glimepiride 550
190. Glipizide 550
191. Glucagon 551
192. Glucose 702
193. Glutaraldehyde 295
194. Glycerol (Glycerin) 707
195. Glyceryl Trinitrate 309
196. Griseofulvin 172
197. Haloperidol 669
198. Halothane 441
199. Heparin 348
200. Homatropine 640
201. Hormone Releasing IUD 519
202. Hydralazine 335
203. Hydrochlorothiazide 336
204. Hydrocortisone (Cortisol) 37
205. Hydrogen peroxide 292
206. Hydroxy Ethyl Starch 354
207. Hydroxychloroquine 417
208. Hyoscine Butylbromide (Scopolamine
Butyl Bromide) 463
209. Hypertonic Saline 703

XXVII NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
210. Ibuprofen 6
211. Ifosfamide 273
212. Imatinib 274
213. Imipramine 657
214. Indinavir 238
215. Insulin 551
216. Insulin Aspart 553
217. Insulin Glargine 554
218. Insulin Glulisine 554
219. Insulin Lispro 553
220. Insulin Zinc (Intermediate Acting Insulin) 552
221. Intraperitoneal Dialysis Solution 410
222. Iodine 576
223. Iopanoic Acid 403
224. Ipratropium 499
225. Iron Dextran 732
226. Iron Salts 718
227. Isoflurane 442
228. Isoniazid 209
229. Isophane Insulin 552
230. Isoprenaline 324
231. Isosorbide Dinitrate 311
232. Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate 310
233. Isotretinoin 391
234. Isoxsuprine 571
235. Ispaghula 80
236. IUD Containing Copper 520
237. Ivermectin 165
238. Kanamycin 210
239. Ketamine 443
240. Ketoconazole 173

NFI-2016 XXVIII
S. No. Medicines Page No.
241. L-Asparaginase 274
242. Lactulose 80
243. Lamivudine 228
244. Lamotrigine 63
245. Latanoprost 625
246. Leflunomide 417
247. Levetiracetam 64
248. Levocetirizine 38
249. Levonorgestrel 515
250. Levothyroxine 576
251. Lidocaine (Lignocaine) 324
252. Linagliptin 555
253. Liraglutide 555
254. Lithium Carbonate 679
255. Loperamide 77
256. Lorazepam 650
257. Losartan 337
258. Magnesium Hydroxide 24
259. Magnesium Sulphate 65
260. Mannitol 428
261. Mebendazole 179
262. Medroxyprogesterone 516
263. Mefenamic Acid 8
264. Mefloquine 187
265. Meglumine Iothalamate (Iothalamate
Meglumine, Methylglucamine lothalamate) 404
266. Meglumine Iotroxate 405
267. Melphalan 275
268. Memantine 45
269. 6-Mercaptopurine 276
270. Meropenem 150

XXIX NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
271. Mesalamine or 5-Aminosalicylic acid
(5-ASA) 464
272. Mesna 276
273. Metformin 556
274. Methadone 693
275. Methotrexate 277
276. Methyl cellulose 81
277. Methyl Prednisolone 535
278. Methyldopa 338
279. Methylene Blue (Methylthioninium
Chloride) 97
280. Methylergometrine 567
281. Metoclopramide 106
282. Metoprolol 312
283. Metronidazole 114
284. Miconazole 382
285. Midazolam 455
286. Mifepristone 567
287. Miglitol 557
288. Miltefosine 183
289. Mirtazapine 660
290. Misoprostol 568
291. Mitomycin 278
292. Mometasone 500
293. Montelukast 501
294. Morphine 12
295. Mouthwash containing essential oils 477
296. Mouthwash containing oxygenating agents 478
297. Mouthwash containing povidone iodine 478
298. Mouthwash with anesthetic 482
299. Mycophenolate Mofetil 470

NFI-2016 XXX
S. No. Medicines Page No.
300. N-acetylcysteine 98
301. Nalidixic Acid 152
302. Naloxone 99
303. Naltrexone 694
304. Nateglinide 557
305. Nelfinavir 240
306. Neostigmine 470
307. Nevirapine 234
308. Niclosamide 180
309. Nicotine 695
310. Nicotinic acid 374
311. Nifedipine 339
312. Nitrazepam 651
313. Nitrofurantoin 153
314. Nitrous Oxide 444
315. Noradrenaline 38
316. Norethisterone 517
317. Norfloxacin 154
318. Nystatin 174
319. Ofloxacin 156
320. Olanzapine 672
321. Omeprazole 25
322. Ondansetron 107
323. Oral Rehydration Salts 83
324. Oseltamivir 241
325. Oxaliplatin 278
326. Oxcarbamazepine 66
327. Oxygen 445
328. Oxytetracycline 633

XXXI NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
329. Oxytocin 569
330. Paclitaxel 279
331. Pancuronium 617
332. Pantoprazole 26
333. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 9
334. Pentamidine 183
335. Pentazocine 14
336. Permethrin 396
337. Pheniramine 40
338. Phenobarbitone 67
339. Phenoxymethyl Penicillin (Penicillin V) 157
340. Phenylephrine 641
341. Phenytoin 68
342. Physostigmine (Eserine) 626
343. Pilocarpine 626
344. Pioglitazone 558
345. Piperazine 180
346. Platelet rich plasma 358
347. Polygeline (Degraded Gelatin Polymer) 354
348. Potassium Chloride 703
349. Potassium Permanganate 379
350. Povidone Iodine 292
351. Pralidoxime (2-PAM) 100
352. Praziquantel 245
353. Prednisolone 40
354. Premix insulin 30:70 Injection 558
355. Primaquine 190
356. Procainamide 327
357. Procaine Benzyl Penicillin
(Procaine Penicillin G) 158

NFI-2016 XXXII
S. No. Medicines Page No.
358. Procarbazine 280
359. Prochlorperazine 109
360. Promethazine 110
361. Propofol 446
362. Propranolol 252
363. Protamine 365
364. Pyrantel Pamoate 181
365. Pyrazinamide 211
366. Pyridostigmine 472
367. Quinidine 328
368. Quinine 193
369. Raloxifene 435
370. Ramipril 340
371. Ranitidine 26
372. Repaglinide 559
373. Rifampicin 201
374. Ringer Lactate (Compound Sodium Lactate) 704
375. Risperidone 673
376. Ritonavir 242
377 Rivastigmine 45
378. Roxithromycin 159
379. Salbutamol 501
380. Salicylic Acid 382
381. Saquinavir 243
382. Saxagliptin 560
383. Senna 81
384. Sertraline 661
385. Sevoflurane 447
386. Sildenafil 539

XXXIII NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
387. Silver Sulfadiazine 379
388. Sitagliptin 560
389. Sodium Bicarbonate 705
390. Sodium Chloride 706
391. Sodium Fluoride 721
392. Sodium fluoride mouthwashes 479
393. Sodium Iothalamate 406
394. Sodium Lactate 706
395. Sodium Meglumine Diatrizoate 406
396. Sodium Nitrite 101
397. Sodium Nitroprusside 342
398. Sodium Stibogluconate 184
399. Sodium Thiosulphate (Sodium hyposulphite) 102
400. Sodium Valproate 70
401. Spironolactone 371
402. Stavudine 229
403. Streptokinase 348
404. Streptomycin 216
405. Succinylcholine Chloride 618
406. Sulfasalazine 420
407. Sulphacetamide 634
408. Sulphadiazine 160
409. Sumatriptan 255
410. Tacrolimus 287
411. Tamoxifen 280
412. Telmisartan 343
413. Tenofovir 230
414. Terazosin 343
415. Terbutaline 503

NFI-2016 XXXIV
S. No. Medicines Page No.
416. Testosterone 538
417. Tetracaine 637
418. Tetracycline 161
419. Thalidomide 280
420. Theophylline 503
421. Thiopental (Thiopentone) 448
422. Timolol 627
423. Tinidazole 116
424. Tolnaftate 175
425. Tooth mousse containing casein
phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium
phosphate (CPP ACP) 479
426. Topical clotrimazole 480
427. Topical Metronidazole preparations 480
428. Topiramate 71
429. Tramadol 15
430. Tranexamic Acid 358
431. Trifluoperazine 668
432. Trihexyphenidyl (Benzhexol) 51
433. Trimethoprim 162
434. Tropicamide 400
435. Urea 393
436. Urokinase 349
437. Valproic acid and Sodium Valproate 681
438. Vancomycin 163
439. Vecuronium 619
440. Venlafaxine 662
441. Verapamil 315
442. Varenicline 697

XXXV NFI-2016
S. No. Medicines Page No.
443. Vigabatrin 72
444. Vildagliptin 561
445. Vinblastine 282
446. Vincristine 283
447. Voglibose 561
448. Warfarin 366
449. Water for Injection 707
450. Xylometazoline 641
451. Zanamivir 244
452. Zidovudine (AZT) 231
453. Zinc Oxide 387
454. Zinc sulfate 78
455. Zolpidem 652
456 Zonisamide 73

FIXED DOSE COMBINATIONS

S. No. Medicines Page No.
1. Acriflavin + Glycerin 289
2. Aluminium Hydroxide +
Magnesium Hydroxide 22
3. Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid 122
4. Artemether + Lumefantrine 190
5. Arterolane + Piperaquine 192
6. Artesunate + Sulfadoxine +
Pyrimethamine (AS-SP) 189
7. Artesunate +Mefloquine 191
8. Benzoic Acid + Salicylic Acid 382
9. Calcium Carbonate + Vitamin D3 715
10. Cotrimoxazole (Trimethoprim and
Sulphamethoxazole) 143

NFI-2016 XXXVI
S. No. Medicines Page No.
11. Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgestrel and
Ethinylestradiol + Norethisterone 513
12. Etophylline + Theophylline 498
13. Formoterol + Fluticasone propionate 498
14. Glucose + Sodium Chloride 702
15. Imipenem + Cilastatin 149
16. Iron Salts + Folic Acid 729
17. Lamivudine + Nevirapine + Stavudine 235
18. Lamivudine + Zidovudine 237
19. Levodopa + Carbidopa 49
20. Lignocaine + Prilocaine 326
21. Lignocaine Hydrochloride + Adrenaline 325
22. Lopinavir + Ritonavir 239
23. Mifepristone + Misoprostol 570
24. Neomycin + Bacitracin 378
25. Piperacillin + Tazobactam 158
26. Rifampicin + Isoniazid 213
27. Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Ethambutol 214
28. Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide 214
29. Rifampicin + Isoniazid +
Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol 215
30. Stavudine + Lamivudine (d4T+3TC) 236
31. Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine (SP) 190
32 Thiacetazone + Isoniazid 216
33 Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine 237

XXXVII NFI-2016
IMMUNOLOGICALS
S. No. Medicines Page No.
1. Anti-D Immunoglobulin (Human) 581
2. Antitetanus Immunoglobulin (Human). 582
3. BCG Vaccine. 592
4. Diphtheria Antitoxin 583
5. Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT)
Vaccine 593
6. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccine 593
7. Hepatitis A Vaccine 594
8. Hepatitis B Vaccine 594
9. Influenza Vaccine 595
10. Measles Vaccine 596
11. Polio Vaccine (OPV/IPV) 597
12. Polyvalent antisnake Venom
(Snake venom antiserum,
Snake antivenin, Venom antitoxin) 585
13. Rabies Immunoglobulin 583
14. Rabies Vaccine 598
15. Rubella Vaccine 599
16. Tetanus Vaccine 599
17. Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative
(Tuberculin PPD) 399
18. Typhoid Vaccine 601
19 Varicella Vaccine 601
20 Yellow Fever Vaccine 602

NFI-2016 XXXVIII
VITAMINS
S. No. Medicines Page No.
1. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 714
2. Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 725
3. Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) 717
4. Folic Acid 730
5. Hydroxocobalamin 731
6. Methylcobalamin 718
7. Nicotinamide 719
8. Phytomenadione/Menadione Sodium Sulphate 364
9. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) 720
10. Riboflavin 720
11. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) 721
12 Vitamin A 722

List of medicines monographs deleted from NFI

1. Amodiaquine
2. Emtricitabine
3. Formaldehyde
4. Mexiletine
5. Proguanil
6. Propyliodone
7. Strontium Ranelate
8. Tacrine

XXXIX NFI-2016
 Common Abbreviations

ACCORD Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in

Diabetes
ACE Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACE Inhibitors Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
ACP Amorphous Calcium Phosphate
ACT Artemisinin based Combination Therapy
ADR Adverse Drug Reaction
ADVANCE Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease:
Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release
Control Evaluation
AE Adverse Event
AEFI Adverse Events Following Immunization
AIDS Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
ALT Alanine Amino transferase (ALAT)
APD Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
ARB Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
BCG Bacillus Calmette Guerin
ASA Aminosalicylic Acid
ASV Antisnake venom
ATP Adenosine Triphosphate
BNF British National Formulary
BP British Pharmacopoeia
BSA Body Surface Area
CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
CD4 Cluster of Differentiation 4
CDSCO Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization
CFC Chloro Fluoro Carbon
CIOMS Council for International Organization of
Medical Sciences

NFI-2016 XL
CKD Chronic Kidney Disease
CMC Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
CMV Cytomegalo Virus
CNS Central Nervous System
COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPP Casein Phosphopeptide
CR Controlled Release
CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid
CTZ Chemoreceptor trigger zone
DCCT Diabetes Control and Complications Trials
DCG(I) Drugs Controller General (India)
DMARDs Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
DOTS Directly Observed Treatment Short-course
DT Dispersible Tablet/Diphtheria Tetanus
DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DTaP Diphtheria Tetanus Acelluar Pertussis
Vaccine
DTwP Diphtheria Tetanus Whole Cell Pertussis
Vaccine
ECG Electro Cardiogram
ECT Electroconvulsive Therapy
EMA European Medicines Agency
EMS Emergency Medical Services
EPS Extrapyramidal Symptoms
ER Extended Release
FDA Food and Drug Administration
FDC Fixed Dose Combination
FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume in one second
FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma
G-6-PD Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase
HAART Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy
HD Hemodialysis

XLI NFI-2016
GCP Good Clinical Practice
GERD Gastrooesophageal Reflux Disease
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
GI Gastrointestinal
GLP Glucagon Like Peptide
HBsAg Hepatitis B surface Antigen
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
Hep-A Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hep-B Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hib Haemophilus Influenza b
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HPA Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis
HPMC Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose
HT Hormone Therapy
ICD International Classification of Disease
ICMR Indian Council of Medical Research
ICS Inhaled glucocorticosteroids
ICU Intensive Care Unit
ID Intra Dermal
IgA Immunoglobulin A
IM Intramuscular
INR International Normalized Ratio
IP Indian Pharmacopoeia
IPC Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
IPV Inactivated Poliomyelitis Vaccine
IU International Units
IV Intravenous
JE Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
LFT Liver Function Test
LGS LennoxGastaut Syndrome
MAO Mono Amine Oxidase
MD Mouth Dissolving

NFI-2016 XLII
MDR Multi Drug Resistance
mEq MilliEquivalent
MDI Metered Dose Inhaler
MI Myocardial Infarction
mMol Millimole
MMR Measles, Mumps and Rubella
MOHFW Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
MR Modified Release
NACO National AIDS Control Organization
NCC National Coordination Centre
NFI National Formulary of India
NHPs National Health Programmes
NHM National Health Mission
NIMR National Institute of Malaria Research
NIMS National Institute of Medical Statistics
NLEM National List of Essential Medicines
NMS Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
NRI Nicotine Replacement Therapy
NS Normal Saline
NSAIDs Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
ODT Oral Dispersible Tablet
OPV Oral Polio Vaccine
ORS Oral Rehydration Salts
PCI Pharmacy Council of India
PD Peritoneal Dialysis
PEF Peak Expiratory Flow
PFS Pre-Filled Syringes
PK/PD Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic
PPAR Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor
PT Prothrombin Time
PvPI Pharmacovigilance Programme of India

XLIII NFI-2016
RDT Rapid diagnostic test
RNTCP Revised National TB Control Programme
RV Rotavirus Vaccine
SAE Serious Adverse Event
SC Subcutaneous
SL Sublingual
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SNRI Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake
Inhibitor
SR Sustained Release
SSRI Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
SWI Sterile Water for Injection
T1DM Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus / Insulin
Dependent Diabetes
T2DM Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus /Non- Insulin
Dependent Diabetes
TCA Tricyclic Antidepressant
TCD Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography
TdaP Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis
Vaccine
TDM Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
TNF Tumour Necrosis Factor
TT Tetanus Toxoid
USFDA United States Food and Drug
Administration
USP United States Pharmacopoeia
W/V Weight/Volume
W/W Weight/Weight
WHO World Health Organization

*Drugs listed in National List of Essential Medicines 2011,

India

NFI-2016 XLIV
Schedule H and H1: List of drugs that to be sold by retail
on the prescription of a Registered
Medical Practitioner only
(Prescription Drugs).
Schedule X: List of drugs for which the retailer is
to preserve prescription for a period
of 2 years.
Schedule G: List of drugs that could be dangerous
to take except under medical
supervision.

Notes:
1. Wherever Schedule H and H1, as well as X are stated,
it means that the drug is specified in that Schedule of
Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
2. Substances specified in Schedule H and H1 or X shall
not be sold by retail except on and in accordance with
the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner;
and in the case of substances specified in Schedule X,
the prescriptions shall be in duplicate, one copy of
which shall be retained by the licensee for a period of
two years.
3. The supply of drugs specified in Schedule H and H1 or
X to Registered Medical Practitioners, Hospitals,
Dispensaries and Nursing Homes shall be made only
against the signed order in writing which shall be
preserved by the licensee for a period of two years.
4. The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be
recorded in a separate register at the time of the supply
giving the name and address of the prescriber, the name
of the patient, the name of the drug and the quantity
supplied and such records shall be maintained for three
years and be open for inspection.

XLV NFI-2016
 General Advice to Prescribers

Rational Approach to Therapeutics

Drugs should be prescribed or used only when necessary, and
in all cases the benefit of administering the medicine should
be considered in relation to the risks involved. Bad prescribing
habits lead to ineffective and unsafe treatment, exacerbation
or prolongation of illness, distress and harm to the patient,
and higher cost. The Guide to Good Prescribing (WHO,
Geneva; 1994) provides important tools for training in the
process of rational prescribing.
The following steps will help prescribers to follow the rational
approach to therapeutics:

1. Define the Patients Problem

Whenever possible, making the right diagnosis is based on
integrating many pieces of information: the complaint as
described by the patient; a detailed history; physical examination;
laboratory tests; X-rays and other investigations. This will help
in rational prescribing, always bearing in mind that diseases
are evolutionary processes.

2. Specify the Therapeutic Objective

Doctors must clearly state their therapeutic objectives based
on the pathophysiology underlying the clinical situation.
Very often, physicians are required to select more than one
therapeutic goal for each patient.

3. Selecting Therapeutic Strategies

The selected strategy should be agreed with the patient; this
agreement on outcome, and how it may be achieved, is termed
concordance.
The selected treatment can be non-pharmacological and/
pharmacological; it also needs to take into account the total
cost of all therapeutic options.

NFI-2016 XLVI
a) Non-Pharmacological treatment
It is very important to bear in mind that the patient does
not always need a medicine for treatment of the condition.
Very often, health problems can be resolved by a change
in lifestyle or diet, use of physiotherapy or exercise,
provision of adequate psychological support, and other
non-pharmacological treatments; these have the same
importance as a prescription medicine, and instructions
must be written, explained and monitored in the same way.

b) Pharmacological treatment
Selecting the Correct Group of Drugs
Knowledge about the pathophysiology involved in the
clinical situation of each patient, pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics of the chosen group of drugs, are
fundamental principles for rational therapeutics.

Selecting the Medicine from the Chosen Group

The selection process must consider benefit/risk/cost

information. This step is based on evidence about maximal
clinical benefits of the medicine (efficacy) for a given
indication with the minimum production of adverse effects
(safety).
It must be remembered that every medicine has some
adverse effects and it is estimated that up to 10% of hospital
admissions in industrialized countries are due to adverse
effects. Not all medicine-induced injury can be prevented
but much of it is caused by inappropriate selection of
drugs.
In cost comparison between drugs, the cost of the total
treatment and not only the unit cost of the medicine must
be considered.
Verifying the Suitability of the Chosen Pharmaceutical
Treatment for Each Patient

The prescriber must check whether the active substance

chosen, its dosage form, standard dosage schedule and

XLVII NFI-2016
 standard duration of treatment are suitable for each patient.
Medicine treatment should be individualised to the needs
of each patient.

Prescription Writing

The prescription is the link between the prescriber, the

pharmacist (or dispenser) and the patient, so it is important
for the successful management of the presenting medical
condition.

Giving Information, Instructions and Warnings

This step is important to ensure patient compliance and is

covered in detail in the following section (refer 11.
Adherence (compliance) with medicine treatment).

Monitoring Treatment

Evaluation of the follow up and the outcome of treatment

allow the stopping of it (if the patients problem is solved)
or to reformulate it when necessary. This step gives rise to
important information about the effects of drugs
contributing to building up the body of knowledge of
pharmacovigilance, needed to promote the rational use
of drugs.

Factors Affecting Medicine Response

1. Variation in Dose
Success and effectiveness of medicine therapy depends not
only on the correct choice of medicine but also on the correct
dose regimen. Unfortunately, treatment frequently fails
because either the dose is too small or it is too large that it
produces adverse effects amongst other factors. The concept
of a standard or average adult dose for every medicine is
firmly rooted in the mind of most prescribers. After the
initial dose ranging studies on new drugs, manufacturers
recommend a dosage that appears to produce the desired
response in the majority of subjects. These studies are usually
done on healthy, young male volunteers, rather than on older
men and women with illnesses and of different ethnic and

NFI-2016 XLVIII
environmental backgrounds. The use of standard doses in
the marketing literature suggests that standard responses are
the rule, but in reality there is considerable variation in
medicine response. There are many reasons for this variation
such as medicine formulation, body weight and age, variation
in pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism
and excretion), variation in pharmacodynamics, disease
variables, environmental and genetic variables, adherence
to instructions and adverse effects and interactions etc.
Some of them are described below.

2. Formulation
The type of drug formulation is an important factor affecting
its response, apart from its lipid solubility and so many other
factors. Pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets, capsules,
emulsions, ointments, injectables, liposomes, etc, provide a
mechanism for safe, effective, accurate, and convenient
delivery of drugs to the target site. Poorly formulated drugs
may fail to disintegrate or dissolve. Enteric-coated drugs are
particularly problematic, and have been known to pass through
the gastrointestinal tract intact. Some drugs like digoxin or
phenytoin have track records of formulation problems, and
dissolution profiles can vary not only from manufacturer to
manufacturer but also from batch to batch manufactured by
the same manufacturer. Lately, biogeneric products (off patent
biopharmaceuticals) have also been available in the
pharmaceutical market. The production of biogenerics
involves complex processes.

3. Body Weight and Age

Although the concept of varying the dose with the body weight
or age of children has a long tradition, adult doses have been
assumed to be the same irrespective of size or shape. Yet,
adult weights vary two to threefold, while a large fat mass
can store large excess of highly lipid soluble drugs compared
to lean patients of the same weight. Age changes are also
important. Adolescents may oxidize some drugs relatively
more rapidly than adults, while the elderly may have reduced
renal function and eliminate some drugs more slowly.

XLIX NFI-2016
4. Sex
Females usually require smaller doses than males. Iron
preparations and other haematinics are exceptions to this rule
because of the blood lost by women during menstruation.
There is a possibility that males metabolize benzodiazepines,
estrogen containing preparations and salicylate at a faster rate
than females.
5. Route of Administration
It governs the speed and intensity of drug response.
The indications for a drug may vary when route of
administration varies.
Example: Magnesium sulphate when administered orally
acts as a purgative; when administered topicallydecreases
swelling on sprained joints; and when administered
intravenouslyCNS depression and hypotension occur.
6. Tolerance
The therapeutic effects of some medications are lessened in
individuals over a prolonged period of use. Thus, a patient
who has been using a drug for longer time, requires a higher
dose so as to obtain the same therapeutic effect as produced
by the drug when taken for the first time. This is called
tolerance. Opioids, benzodiazepines, 2 agonists, caffeine,
cocaine, amphetamines and barbiturates fall into this category.
Cross-tolerance develops when use of one drug causes a
tolerance to another. Alcoholics, barbiturate and narcotic
addicts develop a cross-tolerance to sedatives and
anaesthetics. These individuals require very large amounts
of anaesthetics before surgical anaesthesia can be attained.
7. Synergistic Effect
Several drugs when combined may show synergistic action
in the form of either additive or supra-additive action or
potentiation. A few examples are:
a) trimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole
b) ACE inhibitor + angiotensin receptor blocker + diuretic
c) long acting 2 agonists + inhaled steroids (e.g., salmeterol
+ fluticasone)

NFI-2016 L
8. Resistance
Development of resistance to drugs is a common problem
with antimicrobial agents (antituberculosis drugs, antileprotic
drugs, antimalarial drugs etc.). Rational prescribing and in
turn compliance by the user will prevent the emergence of
resistance.

9. Pharmacokinetic Variables

a) Absorption
Absorption of a medicine is possible when it is present in
solution form. Medicine absorption rates may vary widely
between individuals and in the same individual at different
times and in different physiological states. Drugs taken after
a meal are delivered to the small intestine much more slowly
than in the fasting state, leading to much lower medicine
concentrations. In pregnancy, gastric emptying is also delayed,
while some drugs may increase or decrease gastric emptying
and affect absorption of other drugs.
b) Distribution
Medicine distribution varies widely fat soluble drugs are
stored in adipose tissue, water soluble drugs are distributed
chiefly in the extracellular space, acidic drugs bind strongly
to plasma protein albumin and basic drugs to muscle cells.
Hence, variation in plasmaalbumin levels, fat content or
muscle mass may all contribute to dose variation. With very
highly albumin bound drugs like warfarin, a small change of
albumin concentration can produce a big change in free
medicine concentration and a dramatic change in therapeutic
action of a medicine.
c) Metabolism
Medicine metabolic rates are determined both by genetic and
environmental factors. Medicine acetylation shows genetic
polymorphism, whereby individuals fall clearly into either
fast or slow acetylator types. Medicine oxidation, however,
is polygenic, and although a small proportion of the population
can be classified as very slow oxidizers of some drugs,

LI NFI-2016
for most drugs and most subjects there is a normal distribution
of medicine metabolizing capacity, and much of the
variation is under environmental control. Also see section
10 (Environmental factors and genetic factors).
d) Excretion
Many drugs are eliminated by the kidneys without being
metabolised. Renal disease or competitive tubular secretion
of drugs can, therefore, slow down the excretion of certain
drugs.
10. Pharmacodynamic Variables
There are significant variations in receptor response to some
drugs, especially central nervous system responses, for
example, pain and sedation. Some of these are genetic, some
due to tolerance, some due to interactions with other drugs
and some due to addiction, for example, morphine and
alcohol.

a) Disease Variables
Both liver and kidney diseases can have major effects on
medicine response, chiefly by the effect on metabolism and
elimination respectively (increasing toxicity), and also by their
effect on plasma albumin (increased free medicine also
increasing toxicity). Heart failure can also affect metabolism
of drugs with rapid hepatic clearance (e.g., lidocaine,
propranolol). Respiratory disease and hypothyroidism can
both impair medicine oxidation.
b) Environmental Factors and Genetic Factors
(Pharmacogenetics)
Many drugs and environmental toxins can induce the hepatic
microsomal enzyme oxidizing system (MEOS) or cytochrome
P450 oxygenases, leading to more rapid metabolism and
elimination and ineffective treatment. Environmental pollut-
ants, carcinogens, tobacco smoke, alcohol, anaesthetic drugs
and pesticides may also induce metabolism. Diet and
nutritional status also have an impact on pharmacokinetics.
For example, in infantile malnutrition and in malnourished
elderly populations medicine oxidation rates are decreased,

NFI-2016 LII
while high protein diets, charcoal cooked foods and certain
other foods act as metabolising enzyme inducers. Sedative
and hypnotics induce sleep better in calm environment and
when administered at night. Pharmacogenetic variation will
affect the medicine response, by 4 to 6 fold among different
individuals. All major determinants of medicine response such
as transporters, metabolising enzymes, and receptors are
controlled genetically. These factors in certain cases may result
in toxicityfor example toxicity caused by inhibi- tory effect
of isoniazid on phenytoin metabolism seems to be more
significant in slow acetylators of isoniazid than in those
patients who metabolise the drug more rapidly. The Appendix
16 summarises the pharmacogenetic variation, the frequency
of occurrence, drugs involved and the outcome.
11. Adherence (Compliance) with Medicine Treatment
It is often assumed that once an appropriate medicine is
chosen, the prescription correctly written and the medication
correctly dispensed, that it will be taken correctly, then the
treatment will be successful. Unfortunately, this is very often
not the case, and physicians overlook one of the most
important reasons for treatment failure that is poor adherence
(compliance) with the treatment plan. There are sometimes
valid reasons for poor adherence. The medicine may be poorly
tolerated, may cause obvious adverse effects or may be
prescribed in a toxic dose. Failure to adhere with such a
prescription has been described as intelligent non-
compliance. Bad prescribing or a dispensing error may also
create a problem, and regarding which patients may have
neither the insight nor the courage to question. Even with
good prescribing, failure to adhere to treatment is common.
Factors may be related to the patient, the disease, the doctor,
the prescription, the pharmacist or the health system and can
often be avoided. Low-cost strategies for improving adherence
increase effectiveness of health interventions and reduce costs.
Such strategies must be tailored to the individual patient.
Healthcare providers should be familiar with techniques for
improving adherence and they should employ systems to
assess adherence and to determine what influences it.

LIII NFI-2016
a) Patient Reasons
In general, women tend to be more adherent than men,
younger patients and the very elderly are less adherent, and
people living alone are less adherent than those with partners
or spouses. Specific education interventions have been shown
to improve adherence. Patient disadvantages such as illiteracy,
poor eyesight or cultural attitudes (e.g., preference for
traditional or alternative drugs and suspicion of modern
medicine) may be very important in some individuals or
societies, as may economic factors. Such disabilities or
attitudes need to be discussed and taken account of.
b) Disease Reasons
Conditions with a known worse prognosis (e.g., cancer) or
painful conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) elicit better
adherence rates than asymptomatic perceived as benign
conditions such as hypertension. Doctors should be aware
that in most settings less than half of patients initiated on
antihypertensive medicine treatment are still taking it a year
later. Similarly, in epilepsy, where events may occur at long
intervals, adherence is notoriously unsatisfactory.
c) Doctor Reasons
Doctors may cause poor adherence in many waysby failing
to inspire confidence in the treatment offered, by giving too
little or no explanation, by thoughtlessly prescribing too many
drugs, by making errors in prescribing by prescribing very
costly drugs, or by their overall attitude towards the patient.
d) The DoctorPatient Interaction
There is considerable evidence that this is crucial to
concordance. Satisfaction with the interview is one of the
best predictors of good adherence. Patients are often well
informed and expect a greater say in their healthcare. If they
are in doubt or dissatisfied they may turn to alternative options
including complementary medicine. There is no doubt that
the medicine doctor has a powerful effect to encourage
confidence and perhaps contribute directly to the healing
process.

NFI-2016 LIV
e) Prescription Reasons
Many aspects of the prescription may lead to non-adherence
(non-compliance). It may be illegible or inaccurate; it may
get lost; it may not be refilled as intended or instructed for a
chronic disease. Also, the prescription may be too complex;
it has been shown that the greater the number of medications
the poorer the adherence, while multiple doses also decrease
adherence, if more than two doses per day are given. Not
surprisingly, adverse effects like drowsiness, impotence or
nausea reduce adherence and patients may not admit to the
problem.
f) Pharmacist Reasons
The pharmacists behaviour and professionalism, like the
doctors, may have a positive impact, supporting adherence,
or a negative one, raising suspicions or concerns. This has
been reported in relation to generic drugs when substituted
for brand-name drugs. Pharmacist information and advice can
be a valuable reinforcement, as long as it agrees with the
doctors advice.
g) The Healthcare System
The healthcare system may be the biggest hindrance to
adherence. Long waiting times, uncaring staff, uncomfortable
environment, exhausted medicine supplies and so on, are all
common problems in developing countries, and have a major
impact on adherence. An important problem is the distance
and accessibility of the clinic from the patient. Some studies
have confirmed the obvious, that patients farthest from the
clinic are least likely to adhere to treatment in the long term.
h) Summary of Common reasons of medication and
prescription errors
The medication errors are of concern for patient safety. They
can cause significant ADRs/adverse events and many even
lead to morbidity and mortality. They impact the quality of
life of a patient. Majority of medication errors are preventable.
The common reasons of medication errors and their possible
solutions are listed below. The list is not exhaustive.

LV NFI-2016
1. Legibility of contents of prescription including medical
abbreviations, symbols errors and spelling errors
2. Inadequate direction /guidance to the patient on
the use of drugs
3. Irrational prescription of antibiotics, steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines and fixed dose
combinations etc.
4. Polypharmacy practice such as administration of more
than one drug for the same ailment when it is not
indicated (such as antiepileptics or not adopting
multiple drug therapy where it is needed (eg.
Antituberculosis agents, antileprotics, anti-HIV drugs)
5. Concomitant use of medicines of different systems such
as Modern system, Ayurvedic system, Homeopathic
system, Unani system for the same disease
6. Poor pharmacy and dispensing practices
Improper storage of drugs
Substitution of drugs
7. Miscalculation of dose and strengths of drugs
8. Wrong route of drug administration
9. Transcription errors
10. Use of contaminated syringes and needles and re-use
of these
11. Poor compliance by the patient
Non-adherence to prescribed dosage regimen,
timing and duration
Improper storage of drugs
Lack of easy accessibility to the medicines
prescribed
12. Communication gap which may be due to
Transcription
Legibility
Inability / Failure to explain the patient
13. Self medication

NFI-2016 LVI
14. Lack of continuing education about the new uses/
adverse effects/dosage of old drugs and about new
drugs at different levels of healthcare delivery system.
15. Medical Reconciliation: Failure to reconcile the present
prescription with prescription history of the patient
Possible Solutions
1. Proper diagnosis of the ailment before prescribing drug
therapy
2. Proper reading of the prescription before dispensing
the medicines
3. Proper patient counseling to secure compliance
4. Accessibility and affordability of medicines
5. Computer generated prescriptions
(CPOE- Computerized Physician Order Entry)
6. Compliance of 5R rule that is
Right Drug
Right Route
Right Time
Right Dose
Right Patient
7. Greater emphasis on correct prescription writing
practices during undergraduate training and
sensitization towards WHO Guide to Good Prescribing.

12. Adverse Effects and Interactions

An Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) may be defined as any
response to a medicine which is noxious, unintended and
occurs at doses normally used for prophylaxis, diagnosis or
therapy. ADRs are, therefore, unwanted or unintended effects
of a medicine, including idiosyncratic effects, which occur
during its proper use. These differ from accidental to deliberate
excessive dosage or medicine maladministration. ADRs may
be directly linked to the properties of the medicine in use, the
so-called A type reactions. An example is hypoglycaemia
induced by an antidiabetic medicine. ADRs may also be
unrelated to the known pharmacology of the medicine, the

LVII NFI-2016
B type reactions including allergic effects, for example,
anaphylaxis with penicillins. Thalidomide marked the first
recognised public health disaster related to the introduction
of a new medicine. It is now recognised that clinical trials,
however thorough, cannot be guaranteed to detect all adverse
effects likely to be caused by a medicine and hence,
necessitating post-marketing surveillance. Health workers are
thus encouraged to record and report to the nearest ADR
Monituring Centre for any unexpected adverse effects with
any medicine to achieve faster recognition of serious related
problems. The National Regulatory Authority takes
appropriate action on drugs showing serious ADRs.

a) Major Factors Predisposing to Adverse Effects

It is well known that different patients often respond differ-
ently to a given treatment regimen. For example, in a sample
of 2422 patients who had been taking combinations of drugs
known to interact, only 7 (0.3%) showed any clinical evidence
of interactions. Therefore, in addition to the pharmaceutical
properties of the medicine, the characteristics of the patients
may be responsible for causing predisposition to ADRs.

b) Extremes of Age
The very old and the very young persons are more susceptible
to ADRs. Drugs which commonly cause problems in
the elderly include hypnotics, diuretics, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, antihypertensives, psychotropics,
digoxin, etc. All children, and particularly neonates, differ
from adult in their response to drugs. Some drugs are likely
to cause problems in neonates (e.g. morphine), but are
generally tolerated in children. Valproic acid is associated
with increased risk of ADRs in children of all ages. Other
drugs associated with problems in children include
chloramphenicol (grey baby syndrome), antiarrhythmics
(worsening of arrhythmias) and acetylsalicylic acid
(Reyes syndrome etc).

c) Intercurrent Illness
If besides the condition being treated, the patient concomi-
tantly suffers from another disease, such as kidney, liver or

NFI-2016 LVIII
heart disease, special precautions may be necessary to prevent
ADRs. Remember also, that apart from the above factors, the
genetic make-up of the individual patient may also predispose
to ADRs.

d) Drug Interactions
Interactions (see Appendix 10) may occur between drugs
which compete for the same receptor or act on the same
physiological system. These may also occur indirectly when
a medicine- induced disease or a change in fluid or electrolyte
balance alters the response to another medicine. Interactions
may occur when one medicine alters the absorption,
distribution, metabolism or elimination of another medicine,
such that the amount which reaches the site of action is
increased or decreased. Medicinemedicine interactions are
some of the commonest causes of adverse effects. When two
drugs are administered to a patient, these may either act
independent of each other, or interact with each other.
Interactions may increase or decrease the effects of the drugs
concerned and may cause unexpected toxicity. As newer and
more potent drugs become available, the number of serious
medicine interactions is likely to increase. Remember that
interactions which modify the effects of a medicine may
involve non-prescription drugs, non-medicinal chemical
agents, and social drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco
and traditional remedies, as well as certain types of food.
The physiological changes in individual patients, caused by
such factors as age and gender, also influence the
predisposition to ADRs resulting from medicine interactions.
e) Pharmaceutical Interactions
Certain drugs, when added to intravenous fluids, may be
inactivated by pH changes, by precipitation or by chemical
reaction. Benzylpenicillin and ampicillin lose potency
after 68 h if added to dextrose solutions, due to the
acidity of these solutions. Some drugs bind to plastic
containers and tubing, for example, diazepam and insulin.
Aminoglycosides are incompatible with penicillins and
heparin. Hydrocortisone is incompatible with heparin,
tetracycline and chloramphenicol.

LIX NFI-2016
f) Adverse Effects Caused by Traditional Drugs

Patients who have been or are taking traditional herbal

reme- dies may develop ADRs. It is not always easy to identify
the responsible plant or plant constituent. For further details,
refer to the Medicine and Toxicology Information Service,
if available, and/or to suitable literature. Appendix 10d
summarises the drugfood interactions.

g) The Effect of Food on Medicine Absorption

Food delays gastric emptying and reduces the rate of

absorption of many drugs; the total amount of medicine
absorbed may or may not be reduced. However, some
drugs are preferably taken with food, either to increase
absorption or to decrease the irritant effect on the stomach.
Appendix 10d summarises the drugfood interactions.

Recommendations
Review the prescription to make sure that it is correct.
Spare time explaining the health problem and the reason for
the medicine.
Provide counselling to patients.
Establish good rapport with patients.
Explore problems, for example difficulty with reading the label
or getting the prescription filled.
Encourage patients to bring their medication to the clinic, so
that tablet/capsule counts etc., can be done to monitor
compliance.
Encourage patients to learn the names of their drugs, and review
their regimen with them. Write notes for them.
Keep treatment regimens simple and consider socioeconomic
background of the patient while selecting the drugs.
Communicate with other healthcare professionals, to develop
a team approach and to collaborate on helping and advising
the patient.
Involve the partner or another family member in eliciting clinical
history of patients and explaining the advice.
Listen to patients.
Pharmacist plays an important role as a connecting link between
the physician and patient.

NFI-2016 LX