British Pharmacopoeia

British publication

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The British Pharmacopoeia is an official publication that sets standards for the strength and purity of therapeutic drugs. Its primary purpose is to detail the formulation of listed drugs, and its provisions are legally binding for all drug producers and dispensers.1

While most pharmacopoeias are compiled by experts in medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy and funded by governments, the British Pharmacopoeia is produced by a private, nonprofit organization with governmental sanction. The proceeds from its sales help fund its revisions. A pharmacopoeia is essentially a book that describes drugs, chemicals, and medicinal preparations, serving as an official standard.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

pharmacopoeia
…from government funds, but the British Pharmacopoeia and the Pharmacopeia of the United States are written by private, nonprofit organizations with the sanction of their respective governments. The proceeds of their sale support their revision. Most countries not having a national pharmacopoeia have adopted one of another country or countries…
Read More
…from government funds, but the British Pharmacopoeia and the Pharmacopeia of the United States are written by private, nonprofit organizations with the sanction of their respective governments. The proceeds of their sale support their revision. Most countries not having a national pharmacopoeia have adopted one of another country or countries…
Read More