The 6th edition of the European Pharmacopoeia comes into force on 01 January 2008 and consists of a two-volume main edition. It will be complemented by two non-cumulative supplements in 2007 and three supplements in each of the subsequent years. It contains information on all types of active substances used to prepare pharmaceutical products: various chemical substances, antibiotics, biological substances, vaccines for human or veterinary use, immunosera, radiopharmaceutical preparations, herbal drugs and homoepathic preparations. Over 1800 specific and general monographs are included.