A while ago, I witnessed an interesting conversation among my pharmacist colleagues on social media. In that conversation, a colleague was asking this exact question: “Friends, does anyone remember the name of that blue book that is asked about during pharmacy inspections and that we are required to keep in our pharmacies?” I believe we all remember that this blue book is the “TURKISH PHARMACOPOEIA”, an Adaptation of the European Pharmacopoeia. However, I would like to note here that in recent times, the TURKISH PHARMACOPOEIA is no longer inquired about during pharmacy inspections by regulation, meaning pharmacies are not obliged to keep it. You know those remarks that make you think while bringing a smile; this blue book conversation made me reflect while smiling. Now, if you wish, let us recall the chronology in our professional history of that blue book whose name our pharmacist colleague struggled to remember.
Official books that determine the necessary specifications of active substances and medicines to be administered to living beings for therapeutic and preventive purposes are called PHARMACOPOEIA. It is derived from the Greek words Pharmakon (medicine) and Poiein (preparation). Pharmacopoeias are official directives and decree-like regulations prepared by the scientific authorities of each state. Pharmacopoeias contain requirements and specifications such as properties of drugs, methods of identification and control, routes and forms of administration, preservation, and dosages to be used. Both medicines kept and prepared in pharmacies and those manufactured by factories must comply with the Pharmacopoeia requirements of that country, or, in its absence, of a foreign country deemed appropriate by the state. Pharmacopoeias serve as an instrument of mutual understanding between judges, physicians, and pharmacists. Formerly, the name Codex, meaning law, was used for these books. Since this term carried too general a meaning, it was abandoned globally and the term Pharmacopoeia was adopted.
In the past, great importance was placed on drug preparation formulas in Pharmacopoeias. Due to the increasing number of active ingredients, today pharmacopoeias mostly provide the specifications and standards of raw materials. Accordingly, pharmacopoeias can be defined as drug specification and control compendia. Chemical substances whose properties have not been sufficiently studied, infrequently used substances, and manufacturing formulas are not accepted into Pharmacopoeias. The specifications and standards of such substances, along with legacy manufacturing formulas still in use, are specified in declarations (books) prepared by the pharmacists’ association of each country. These are given names such as NATIONAL FORMULARY, PHARMACEUTICAL CODEX, DISPENSATORY, etc. These books are also recognized by states as mutual official directives between judges, physicians, and pharmacists. In our country, there is no such national-professional book of directives yet.
The first Turkish Pharmacopoeia was published under the name ‘Pharmacopeia Castrensis Ottomana’ by Dr. Bernard, Director of the Military School of Medicine and Pharmacy, which was founded in 1839 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. In accordance with the Turkish Codex Law No. 767 dated March 3, 1926, the Codex Commission was established on March 30, 1926, and commenced its work on April 17, 1926. As a result of these efforts, the “TURKISH CODEX 1930” came into being, entering into force on June 1, 1930.
Thus, the first Turkish Pharmacopoeia after the Republic was published in 1930. Later, it was republished in 1940, and prepared and printed again with supplements in 1948. The last Turkish Pharmacopoeia, whose preparation began in 1956, was printed and entered into force in 1974.
The decision to prepare a joint European Pharmacopoeia was taken by the Council of Europe in 1964, and the idea of joining this Pharmacopoeia began in our country in 1973. Since the 1974 Turkish Pharmacopoeia was in preparation at the time, it was considered that there was no urgent need to participate in the said convention; however, the view was adopted that having a voice and vote in the preparation of the European Pharmacopoeia would be appropriate in terms of aligning with future developments.
Our membership in the European Pharmacopoeia Commission entered into force on February 22, 1994. Through the translation/adaptation of the European Pharmacopoeia, it was aimed to produce medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials in Turkey in accordance with European Pharmacopoeia specifications, and on the other hand, to enhance the domestic and international competitiveness of the Turkish Pharmaceutical Industry. For these reasons, the first part containing the Turkish adaptation of the general methods, basic principles, and procedures of the European Pharmacopoeia, which we are obliged to implement, was prepared. Following this work, the publication of the second part, which includes substances widely used in our country whether present or not in the European Pharmacopoeia, along with crude drugs and formulas, was planned.
The objective of the European Pharmacopoeia is to promote public health through recognized common standards for use by healthcare professionals and other stakeholders involved in drug quality. These standards are primarily intended to ensure safe drug use by consumers and patients. These standards:
1- Enable the free movement of pharmaceutical products within member states of the European Pharmacopoeia.
2- Ensure quality in pharmaceutical products exported from member states of the European Pharmacopoeia.
Today, the commission aiming to publish the TURKISH PHARMACOPOEIA held its 1st workshop on December 09-12, 2015. The work of this group, which includes distinguished scientists of our country, continues and the first edition of the Turkish Pharmacopoeia is expected to be published in 2018.
Our wish is that the TURKISH PHARMACOPOEIA, prepared with so much effort and dedication, will be used and remembered by us pharmacists as a valuable reference source book.
Wishing you a good week…
References,
1- Prof. Dr. Enver İzgü (General and Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology I)
2- Turkish Pharmacopoeia I European Pharmacopoeia Adaptation 2004
3- Turkish Pharmacopoeia Journal
Spec. Pharm. Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
