PIB Summary- 14th October, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission

Context
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has joined the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG), a pivotal move to enhance global pharmaceutical standards, regulatory compliance, and international recognition of Indian pharmaceutical products.

Benefits of IPC’s Membership in the PDG for India

• Global Recognition: IPC’s pharmaceutical standards will gain international recognition, potentially enhancing the acceptance and credibility of Indian pharmaceutical products worldwide. This aligns IPC with global benchmarks and positions it as a forward-thinking authority in setting drug quality standards.
• Collaboration and Harmonization: IPC can collaborate with and harmonize its standards with other prominent regulatory bodies within the PDG. This alignment ensures global pharmaceutical quality and safety, benefiting not only India but also the international pharmaceutical community.
• Compliance with International Regulations: IPC’s membership allows it to align its processes and standards with global norms, simplifying the path for Indian pharmaceutical companies to meet international regulatory requirements. This, in turn, facilitates easier access to international markets.
• Export Opportunities: Through membership in the PDG, Indian pharmaceutical products can enjoy increased export opportunities to member countries. Reduced trade barriers and greater recognition of IPC standards can boost the presence of Indian pharmaceuticals on the global stage.

Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group

• Founding Members: The PDG was founded by three major pharmacopoeias – the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), and the US Pharmacopeia (USP).
• World Health Organization (WHO): In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined the PDG as an observer, further expanding its international reach and influence.

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission

• Standard Setting: IPC publishes official documents, including the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), to improve the quality of medicines. The IP sets standards for the identity, purity, and strength of drugs relevant to healthcare for humans and animals.
• Promoting Generic Medicines: IPC supports the rational use of generic medicines by issuing the National Formulary of India.
• Reference Substances: IPC provides IP Reference Substances (IPRS) that serve as a fingerprint for identifying and assessing the purity of substances under test, as per IP standards.

First Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus

Context
Recently, the Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas flagged off the country’s first Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus in New Delhi, marking a revolutionary step in the transition to clean energy.

Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A Clean Energy Source

• Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells offer a clean, dependable, silent, and efficient source of high-quality electricity.
• They operate using Green Hydrogen as a fuel, employing an electrochemical process that generates electricity, with water and heat as the sole by-products.

Green Hydrogen

• Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power.
• This process involves breaking down water (H₂O) into its components, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), without emitting greenhouse gases.

Fuel Cell:

• A fuel cell is an electrochemical device converting chemical energy (hydrogen) into electrical energy.
• It consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) separated by an electrolyte.

Advantages:

• Green hydrogen fuel cells are zero-emission, as their only byproduct is water.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be refueled rapidly, similar to conventional vehicles.

Challenges:

• Currently, green hydrogen production can be costly, but ongoing research aims to reduce expenses.
• The establishment of a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure, encompassing production, storage, and distribution, is crucial for widespread adoption.

Significance of Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus

• The bus utilizes hydrogen and air to produce electricity, releasing only water as a by-product, rendering it an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
• Hydrogen boasts triple the energy density of conventional fuels and generates zero harmful emissions, making it a cleaner and more efficient option.

Future Plans:

• IndianOil intends to introduce an additional 15 hydrogen fuel cell buses in Delhi NCR by the close of 2023.
• These buses will assist in collecting performance data in Indian operating conditions, evaluating efficiency and sustainability.

Transformation of India’s Energy Landscape with Green Hydrogen

• Hydrogen and biofuels are anticipated to contribute to 25% of the global incremental energy demand growth in the next two decades.
• India aspires to excel in hydrogen production and export, positioning itself as a green hydrogen hub.
• The success of the Green Hydrogen Mission can propel India from being a net importer of fossil energy to becoming a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy.
• Hydrogen stands to be a game-changer in India’s ambitious pursuit of achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2070.