Preface

The British Pharmacopoeia Commission has caused this British Pharmacopoeia 2018 to be prepared under regulation 317(1) of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and, in accordance with regulation 317(4), the Ministers have arranged for it to be published.

The British Pharmacopoeia 2018 contributes significantly to the quality control of medicinal products for human use. It contains publicly available, legally enforceable standards that provide an authoritative statement of the quality that a product, material or article is expected to meet at any time during its period of use. The Pharmacopoeial standards are designed to complement and assist the licensing and inspection processes and are part of the overall system for safeguarding purchasers and users of medicinal products in the UK.

The British Pharmacopoeia Commission wishes to record its appreciation of the services of all those who have contributed to this important work.