What is the USP and USP Water?
The United States Pharmacopeia Convention is a private, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for drugs, devices and diagnostics. It publishes two compendia (summary documents). The US Pharmacopeia (USP) contains standards for drug products. The National Formulary (NF) sets standards for drug excipients (inert substances used as carriers or dilutants). The current editions of these standards are USP 23 and NF 18. The USP monograph lists two waters that are prepared in bulk form: Purified Water (PW), often called USP Purified Water to distinguish it from other purified waters, and Water for Injection (WFI). Purified Water is described in the USP 23; Purified Water is water obtained by distillation, ion-exchange treatment, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process. It is prepared from water complying with the regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with respect to drinking water. It contains no added substances. The method of preparation of the various gr
