National Formulary of India (NFI)& Its Editions
Introduction about National Formulary of India (NFI)
The National Formulary (NFI) is a book for the guidance of the members of the medical and pharmaceutical profession (medical students, nurses and pharmacists working in hospitals, dispensaries and in sales establishments). The National Formulary of India is an authoritative guide to prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines for healthcare professionals.
To prepare National Formulary, the expert opinion obtains from medical practitioners, teachers in medicine, nurses, pharmacists has been obtained.
The selection of drugs for inclusion in the National Formulary is based on the relative advantages and disadvantages of the various drugs used in current medical practice and their availability in the country.
NFI is being published by the IPC on behalf of the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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 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.
Chairman: Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
NFI is NOT a regulatory document.
Publication & Edition of National Formulary of India
The Chronology of Publication National Formulary of India is as follows:
| Edition of NFI | Year of Publication |
| First | 1960 |
| Second | 1966 |
| Third | 1979 |
| Fourth | 2011 |
| Fifth | 2016 |
| Sixth (Current Edition) | 2021 |
Edition of National Formulary of India
Salient features of National Formulary of India (NFI) 2021
34 therapeutic categories chapters including 591 drug monographs and 23 Appendices based on contemporary knowledge.- 33 rational fixed-dose combinations.
- The NFI is aligned with the National Health Programmes and the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) of India.
- Important Weblinks related to NLEM, Drugs banned in India, NHP, Drugs banned in sports, Immunization schedule, wherever necessary are provided for information to readers.
- Special notes on “How to use NFI?” and Salient Features of NFI are added in this edition.
- Indications approved by the Indian drug regulator (CDSCO), clinically relevant ones, and as per standard care are included.
The term ‘availability’ is now replaced with ‘dosage forms and usual strength’
- The clinically relevant precautions and contraindications are included.
The common or the serious and clinically relevant adverse effects are included.
- Storage conditions for medicines are included for special cases only.
The chapter on Medicines banned in sports in the previous edition has been considered under appendices in this edition.
Considering the prevalence of diabetes in the country a separate Chapter on Management of Diabetes is included after revising completely.
A new appendix on Good Distribution Practices is incorporated.
Appendix on National Immunization Schedule and IAP Immunization Schedule is revised as per current requirement.
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