farmakopean

Farmakopean refers to a pharmacopoeia, which is an official publication containing standards for medicinal drugs. These standards specify the requirements for the identity, strength, quality, purity, and packaging of drugs. Pharmacopoeias are essential for ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. They are developed and maintained by independent expert committees, often under the auspices of government health authorities or professional organizations.

The content of a pharmacopoeia typically includes monographs for individual drugs, providing detailed instructions on how to test and evaluate them. These monographs outline acceptable methods for analysis, such as chemical assays and physical tests, and define limits for impurities. They also describe the physical and chemical properties of the drug substance, its intended use, and storage conditions.

Different countries and regions have their own official pharmacopoeias. Prominent examples include the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP). These pharmacopoeias are frequently updated to reflect advances in pharmaceutical science and technology. Compliance with pharmacopoeial standards is often a legal requirement for drug manufacturers.