Salient features of National Formulary of India (NFI) 2026:

• In addition to the print edition, the digital version of the National Formulary of India (NFI) is also available.
• Only approved indications by the National Regulatory Authority (CDSCO) are included in the drug monographs.
• Only clinically relevant precautions and contraindications are included in the drug monographs.
• Only common, serious, and clinically relevant adverse effects are included in the appendix.
• During the revision of the chapters, India-specific adverse effects are incorporated in this edition and are highlighted in italics within the “Adverse Effects” section of each monograph.
• Storage conditions are included only for selected medical products, as all pharmaceuticals, unless otherwise specified, should generally be stored in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight.
• A separate chapter on Blood and Blood-Related Products is included in view of their essential role in the management of conditions such as anaemia, trauma, surgical procedures, and bleeding disorders. This content was previously part of the chapter on Cardiovascular Drugs.
• New Appendices on the ‘Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare System’, the ‘Advisory for the Use of Cough Syrups in the Paediatric Population’, the ‘Role of Healthcare Professionals in Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse’, and ‘Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)’ are included.
• The appendix on the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) is revised, and a separate section on Medication Errors is added.
• The appendix on the National Immunization Schedule is revised and the IAP Immunization Schedule is removed.
• This edition includes 83 new monographs, 42 Rational Fixed Dose Combinations, of which 14 are new rational Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs), with 5 used in National Health Programmes. As many FDCs are available in the market, only those considered rational by the National Regulatory Authority should be used on the advice of a clinician. In addition, monographs on 5 vaccines implemented under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) form an integral part of this formulary. 30 monographs were deleted among which 19 are no longer used in the clinical practice, while 11 were merged and cross-referenced to their respective parent monograph.
• Drug monographs have been revised to align with the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) of India and National Health Programmes (NHPs).
• Important weblinks related to National Health Programmes, the Immunization Schedule, the Jan Aushadhi Portal, and guidance on the safe disposal of medicines are provided wherever necessary for readers’ reference.
• The appendices on Handling of Drugs and Basic Instructions to Pharmacists in Pharmacy Stores and Storage of Medicines are consolidated into a single appendix ‘Handling and Storage of Medicines, and the storage section is comprehensively revised and aligned with the latest edition Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
• The separate appendices on drugs banned in India, medicines banned in sports, poison information centres, and the National List of Essential Medicines of India are removed, and the relevant weblinks are incorporated under the section General Advice to Prescribers.
• The appendix on Common Laboratory Parameters is comprehensively revised to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance.
• The appendix on Disposal of Unused/Expired Pharmaceutical Products is updated in accordance with the latest CDSCO guidance documents.
• Only clinically significant and relevant drug interactions are included to enhance utility in routine clinical decision making.
• The appendix on Good Distribution Practices is updated in accordance to the Guidelines for Good Storage and Distribution Practices for Medicinal Products issued by CDSCO.
• The appendix on Pictograms is revised by the inclusion of a separate section on auxiliary labels.
• The General Advice to Prescribers includes a separate section on important links, providing direct access to Gazette notifications and other authoritative regulatory resources.
• The appendices on Calculation of Electrolytes and Tips for Healthy Lifestyle are removed from this edition.
• The appendix on Anti-microbial Resistance is updated in accordance with the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) (2025–2029).
• Chapters including Antacids and Antiulcer Drugs, Anti-Allergics and Drugs Used in Anaphylaxis, Anti-Infectives, Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Management of Osteoporosis, Hormones, Contraceptives and Related Drugs, Ophthalmological Preparations, Vitamins, Minerals and Anti-anaemic Drugs, and Immunologicals are comprehensively revised with the involvement of subject experts from across the country.
• The chapter on COVID-19 is removed, and a reference to the latest national clinical guidance for the management of adult COVID-19 patients issued by the AIIMS/ICMR COVID-19 National Task Force/Joint Monitoring Group (Dte. GHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India is incorporated under the General Advice to Prescribers section.
• The chapter on Basics of Medical Emergencies is substantially expanded through the inclusion of a dedicated section on First Aid Measures for Snakebite (Community/Bystander Level), adapted from the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• The formulation strengths given in individual monograph are based on CDSCO, NLEM, NHPs and inputs from subject experts. It doesn’t imply that formulation strengths other than that mentioned in individual monograph cannot be prescribed. Healthcare professionals/clinicians are supposed to use their professional knowledge/ judgement while prescribing the medicine.