The British Pharmaceutical Codex (BPC) was first published in 1907, to supplement the ''

British Pharmacopoeia The ''British Pharmacopoeia'' (''BP'') is the national pharmacopoeia of the United Kingdom. It is an annually published collection of quality standards for medicinal substances in the UK, which is used by individuals and organisations involve ...

'' which although extensive, did not cover all the medicinal items that a

pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist (Commonwealth English) or a druggist (North American and, archaically, Commonwealth English), is a healthcare professional who prepares, controls and distributes medicines and provides advice and instructi ...

might require in daily work. Other books existed, such as ''Squire's'', but the BPC was intended to be official, published by the

Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) existed from its founding as the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1841 until 2010. The word "Royal" was added to its name in 1988. It was the statutory regulatory and professional ...

(PSGB). It laid down standards for the composition of medicines and surgical dressings. Subsequent editions were published in 1911, 1923, 1934, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1963, 1968, and finally 1973. The 1934 edition was described by the ''

British Medical Journal ''The BMJ'' is a weekly peer-reviewed medical trade journal, published by the trade union the British Medical Association (BMA). ''The BMJ'' has editorial freedom from the BMA. It is one of the world's oldest general medical journals. Origi ...

'' as "one of the most useful reference books available to the medical profession". In 1963 Edward G Feldmann, director of revision for the US National Formulary, described it as "a compilation of highly authoritative and useful therapeutic (actions and doses) information as well as a valuable compendium of recognised standards and specifications". In 1979 a new edition was published with a new title, ''The Pharmaceutical Codex''. The

Medicines Commission The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) is a committee of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. It was formed in October 2005, and assumed the responsibilities of the Medicines Commission and the Committee on Safety of Medic ...

had recommended in 1972 that the British Pharmacopoeia should henceforth be the only compendium of official standards for medicines in the UK, and the BPC lost its status as an official book. The PSGB remained as the publishers. The current edition is the 12th, published in 1994.

References

{{Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in the United Kingdom Pharmacology literature 1907 non-fiction books British books Pharmacy in the United Kingdom