The British Pharmacopoeia has been providing official standards for medicines since 1864, and provides the only comprehensive collection of authoritative official standards for UK pharmaceutical substances and medicinal products, including all the monographs and texts of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Pharmacopoeias that have legal status within the UK are the British Pharmacopoeia (BP), including the BP (Veterinary), and the Ph. Eur. The British Pharmacopoeia is published every year in August, and becomes legally effective on January 1st of the following year. 

You can order your copy of the BP 2024 today.

What British Pharmacopoeia do

The British Pharmacopoeia makes an important contribution to the role of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in protecting public health by providing quality standards for UK pharmaceutical substances and medicinal products. It is a vital reference tool for all individuals and organisations involved in pharmaceutical:

• research
• development
• manufacture
• quality control and analysis

The British Pharmacopoeia has a wide international reach and:

• is used in over 100 countries
• forms an inherent part of established medicines legislation in Commonwealth countries
• provides expert advice to the European Pharmacopoeia and plays a significant role in the standard-setting process in Europe
• provides expert advice to the World Health Organization
• has strong links with leading world pharmacopoeias, ensuring the quality of medicines is always at the forefront of international discussion

Learn more