U.S. Pharmacopeia

The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is a nonprofit, scientific organization whose mission is to improve global health through quality standards for medicines and foods. Since 1820, USP has set standards that help ensure that prescription and over-the-counter drugs are of high quality and are consistent from one pill to the next. In the U.S., FDA enforces these standards. USP also sets standards for food ingredients and dietary supplements that are widely recognized internationally. Separately, USP operates a voluntary program called USP Verified that helps consumers identify quality vitamins. The USP Verified Mark appears on labels of products that have met strict quality criteria.

USP also works with developing countries to improve access to quality medicines intended to treat diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, primarily through a cooperative agreement with USAID. To date, this work has spanned four continents and has addressed issues such as counterfeit drugs in Asia and Africa.

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