International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Medical Sciences (IJPRMS) is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record and promoting responsible research and publication practices. Submitted manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism-detection software, such as Turnitin or other appropriate similarity-detection systems. Manuscripts identified as containing plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated material, or other forms of publication misconduct may be rejected or subjected to further investigation and appropriate editorial action.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unethical practice of using another person’s work, ideas, words, data, or other intellectual contributions without proper acknowledgment. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

Copying text, figures, tables, images, or data from another source without appropriate citation.

Paraphrasing, summarizing, or substantially reproducing another person’s work without giving proper credit.

Reusing significant portions of one’s own previously published work (self-plagiarism) without appropriate citation or disclosure.

Presenting another person’s ideas, findings, or intellectual contributions as one’s own.

Plagiarism Detection

1. Screening Process

All manuscripts submitted to IJPRMS undergo plagiarism screening using reliable plagiarism-detection software, such as Turnitin or iThenticate, as part of the editorial evaluation process.

2. Similarity Threshold

Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 10%, excluding references, properly cited direct quotations, and commonly used phrases, will be flagged for further editorial review.

The similarity index will not be considered the sole basis for determining plagiarism. The editorial team will examine the nature, extent, and sources of the identified overlap before making a final decision.

Consequences of Plagiarism

Before Publication

Minor Overlap: Authors may be asked to revise the manuscript, appropriately paraphrase the affected sections, and provide proper attribution and citations.

Significant or Unethical Overlap: The manuscript may be rejected, and the authors will be informed of the reason for the editorial decision.

Serious or Deliberate Plagiarism: The journal may take additional action in accordance with applicable publication-ethics standards.

After Publication

If plagiarism or substantial unattributed duplication is discovered after publication:

The journal may issue a formal retraction of the published article.

A retraction notice will be published online, clearly stating the reason for the retraction.

The authors affiliated institutions and relevant funding bodies may be notified where appropriate.

The article may be marked as retracted in the journal’s online records and indexing systems, where applicable.

Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to IJPRMS are responsible for:

Ensuring that the submitted manuscript is original and has not been published elsewhere.

Providing appropriate citations and acknowledgments for all sources used.

Clearly identifying and citing previously published material, including the authors’ own work.

Avoiding simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals.

Obtaining appropriate permission for copyrighted material when required.

Ensuring that all authors are aware of and agree to the manuscript’s submission and its originality.

Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities

The editorial team and reviewers of IJPRMS are expected to remain vigilant in identifying potential plagiarism, duplicate publication, and other forms of inappropriate textual or intellectual overlap.

Any suspected case of plagiarism should be reported to the Editor-in-Chief for appropriate investigation. The journal will assess suspected cases fairly and confidentially and may request explanations or supporting information from the authors when necessary.

Commitment to Academic Integrity

IJPRMS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic and publication integrity. The journal promotes originality, transparency, proper attribution, and responsible research and publication practices.

By submitting a manuscript to IJPRMS, authors acknowledge and agree to comply with this plagiarism policy and the journal’s broader ethical standards. The journal reserves the right to take appropriate editorial action when plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct are identified.

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Medical Sciences (IJPRMS) is committed to maintaining high standards of academic quality, scientific integrity, and ethical publishing. The journal follows a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential to the extent practicable. This process is intended to ensure that manuscripts are evaluated objectively, fairly, and solely on the basis of their scientific quality, originality, relevance, and methodological rigor.

1. Double-Blind Peer Review

The identities of the authors are not disclosed to the reviewers, and the identities of the reviewers are not disclosed to the authors during the peer review process.

Manuscripts are evaluated objectively, with emphasis on the scientific content, originality, methodology, validity of the findings, and overall scholarly contribution.

Authors should prepare manuscripts in a manner that does not unnecessarily reveal their identities within the blinded manuscript file.

2. Peer Review Process

• 2.1 Initial Editorial Screening
• All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial assessment by the editorial team to determine whether they:
• fall within the scope of IJPRMS;
• meet the journal's submission and formatting requirements;
• demonstrate sufficient originality and scientific relevance;
• comply with applicable research and publication ethics requirements; and

meet the minimum standards required for peer review.

Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's basic requirements or scope may be rejected or returned to the authors before external peer review.

2.2 Selection and Assignment of Reviewers

Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial assessment are normally sent to at least two independent reviewers with appropriate expertise in the relevant subject area.

• Reviewers are selected on the basis of their:
• subject expertise;
• academic and research experience;
• relevant publication record; and

ability to provide an objective and timely assessment.

The journal may invite additional reviewers when necessary, particularly where specialist expertise is required or when the reviewers' recommendations substantially differ.

• 2.3 Reviewer Evaluation
• Reviewers are requested to evaluate manuscripts critically and constructively. The assessment may include the following criteria:

Originality and novelty of the research.

Scientific significance and contribution to the field.

Clarity, structure, and organization of the manuscript.

Appropriateness and methodological rigor of the study design.

Validity and reliability of the results and their interpretation.

Relevance to pharmaceutical, medical, and related biomedical sciences.

Adequacy of references and appropriate citation of relevant literature.

Compliance with applicable research ethics and publication standards.

Quality and clarity of tables, figures, and other supporting materials, where applicable.

Reviewers may also identify methodological limitations, inconsistencies, unsupported conclusions, or other issues that should be addressed before publication.

2.4 Reviewer Reports and Recommendations

Reviewers are expected to provide clear, evidence-based, and constructive comments to assist the authors in improving the manuscript.

• A reviewer may recommend one of the following:
• Accept
• Minor Revision
• Major Revision
• Reject

The reviewer's recommendation is advisory. The final editorial decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or the designated editor.

2.5 Editorial Decision

After considering the reviewers' comments and recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor makes an editorial decision. Where revisions are requested, the authors are required to respond appropriately to the reviewers' comments and submit a revised manuscript within the specified period. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers or evaluated by the editorial team, depending on the nature and extent of the revisions. The journal reserves the right to request further revisions or additional peer review when necessary, before reaching a final decision.

2.6 Acceptance and Publication

Once a manuscript has been accepted, it may undergo editorial processing, including copyediting, formatting, typesetting, and preparation for online publication. A DOI may be assigned where applicable.

Acceptance for publication is subject to the manuscript satisfying the journal's editorial, scientific, and ethical requirements.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

Provide an objective, impartial, and constructive assessment of the manuscript.

Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscript and its contents.

Complete the review within the agreed timeframe or promptly inform the editorial office if an extension is required.

Decline the review if they do not possess appropriate expertise or cannot provide an impartial assessment.

Disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest before accepting or completing the review.

Avoid using unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal or professional advantage.

Identify relevant published work that has not been appropriately cited, where applicable.

Inform the editorial team of any concerns regarding plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, data manipulation, image manipulation, or other potential ethical violations.

Provide professional and respectful comments that are focused on improving the quality of the manuscript.

4. Peer Review Timeline

Reviewers are generally requested to complete their evaluations within 2–4 weeks, although the actual review period may vary depending on the subject area, reviewer availability, and manuscript complexity. Authors are generally expected to submit revised manuscripts within 2–3 weeks of receiving a revision decision. The editorial office may grant an extension upon a reasonable request. The journal aims to process manuscripts as efficiently as possible while maintaining the quality and integrity of the peer review process.

5. Appeals

Authors who believe that an editorial decision was made on the basis of a significant error, misunderstanding, or procedural irregularity may submit an appeal to the editorial office.

• Appeals should:
• clearly state the manuscript identification details;
• explain the specific grounds for the appeal;
• address substantive concerns raised during the review process; and

provide supporting information where appropriate.

Appeals are considered by the Editor-in-Chief or an appropriate independent editor. Where necessary, an additional independent assessment may be obtained. The decision following an appeal is normally final. An appeal is not intended simply to provide an opportunity to dispute a decision because the authors disagree with the reviewers' scientific opinions.

6. Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to IJPRMS are treated as confidential documents. Editors and reviewers must not disclose manuscript contents, review reports, or other confidential information to unauthorized individuals.

Reviewers must not share, copy, distribute, or use unpublished information from a manuscript for purposes unrelated to the peer review process.

7. Conflicts of Interest

Editors and reviewers must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest that could affect the impartial evaluation of a manuscript. A reviewer should decline an assignment where a personal, professional, financial, institutional, or other relationship may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, their objectivity.

8. Ethical Standards

IJPRMS is committed to ethical and responsible scholarly publishing. The journal expects authors, editors, and reviewers to follow recognized principles of publication ethics and research integrity, including applicable guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Concerns involving plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated or manipulated data, inappropriate authorship, undisclosed conflicts of interest, unethical research practices, or other forms of publication misconduct may be investigated in accordance with the journal's applicable ethical procedures.

9. Editorial Independence

Peer reviewers provide recommendations to assist the editorial team; however, reviewers do not make the final publication decision. The Editor-in-Chief or designated editor retains responsibility for the final editorial decision based on the quality of the manuscript, reviewer evaluations, ethical considerations, and the journal's editorial standards. The journal seeks to ensure that editorial decisions are made independently and without inappropriate influence from authors, reviewers, sponsors, or other external parties.

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Medical Sciences (IJPRMS) recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI), and Large Language Models (LLMs) can assist researchers, authors, reviewers, and editors in various aspects of scholarly communication. The journal permits responsible and transparent use of AI-assisted technologies while maintaining the principles of research integrity, authorship, originality, transparency, confidentiality, and accountability.

This policy applies to the use of AI and Generative AI tools in manuscript preparation, research activities, data analysis, image generation or modification, peer review, editorial work, and other stages of the publication process.

1. General Principles

IJPRMS permits the responsible use of AI-assisted technologies provided that such use does not compromise the originality, accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, or ethical standards of scholarly work.

Authors, reviewers, editors, and other contributors remain fully responsible for the content and decisions associated with their work. AI tools cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, originality, or ethical conduct of a manuscript and therefore cannot be considered authors or co-authors.

AI-generated or AI-assisted content must be carefully reviewed and verified by humans because AI systems may produce inaccurate, incomplete, biased, fabricated, or misleading information.

2. Use of AI by Authors

Authors may use AI-assisted technologies for limited and appropriate purposes, such as:

Language improvement, grammar correction, spelling, and readability.

Assistance with manuscript organization or formatting.

Assistance with brainstorming or developing ideas.

Translation or language-related assistance.

Assistance with coding or programming, provided that the resulting code and outputs are independently verified.

Assistance with data analysis, where the use of the AI system is scientifically appropriate, transparently reported, and independently validated.

The use of AI must not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, scientific judgment, responsibility, or accountability for the research.

Authors remain responsible for:

The accuracy and integrity of all submitted information.

Verification of AI-generated statements, references, calculations, and interpretations.

Ensuring that appropriate sources are cited.

Ensuring that the manuscript does not contain plagiarism or unattributed material.

Obtaining necessary permissions for copyrighted or third-party material.

Ensuring that AI-generated content does not introduce fabricated data, unsupported claims, or misleading conclusions.

3. Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of AI-assisted technologies when AI has contributed substantively to the preparation, analysis, generation, or presentation of the manuscript.

The disclosure should identify:

The name of the AI tool or technology used.

The purpose for which it was used.

The part of the manuscript, research, analysis, or figures in which it was used.

Where appropriate, the version or date of the AI tool.

For example:

AI Use Disclosure: During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] for [describe purpose, e.g., language editing and grammar improvement]. The authors reviewed and verified all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and final content of the manuscript.

If AI was used for data analysis, research methodology, coding, figure generation, or other substantive research activities, the authors should provide appropriate details in the Methods, Acknowledgments, or another relevant section of the manuscript.

Current ICMJE guidance recommends that authors disclose AI-assisted technologies used in the production of submitted work and explain how they were used.

4. AI Cannot Be an Author or Co-Author

AI systems, chatbots, Generative AI tools, and LLMs must not be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to IJPRMS.

Authorship requires human responsibility for the work, including responsibility for its accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical compliance. AI systems cannot fulfill these responsibilities.

Authors should not:

List ChatGPT or another AI system as an author or co-author.

Attribute authorship to an AI system.

Present AI-generated content as the independent intellectual contribution of a named human author without appropriate disclosure.

Use AI-generated material to falsely represent the originality or authorship of scholarly work.

This principle is consistent with current ICMJE recommendations.

5. AI-Generated Text and Manuscript Content

The use of Generative AI to produce substantial portions of a manuscript must be disclosed.

Authors must critically evaluate and revise any AI-assisted text before submission. AI-generated text must not be accepted without human verification.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

Statements are factually correct.

Scientific interpretations are supported by evidence.

References actually exist and accurately support the cited claims.

No fabricated citations or sources are included.

No copyrighted or unattributed material has been improperly reproduced.

The final manuscript accurately represents the authors' research and conclusions.

AI-generated text should not be used to fabricate scientific observations, experimental findings, clinical information, or research conclusions.

6. AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Images

AI-generated or AI-assisted images, illustrations, graphical abstracts, diagrams, or other visual materials must comply with the journal's requirements for scientific integrity and image presentation.

Authors must disclose the use of AI when it has been used to generate, substantially modify, or manipulate an image.

AI must not be used to:

Fabricate experimental results or scientific evidence.

Add, remove, or alter research findings in a misleading manner.

Manipulate clinical, microscopic, radiographic, electrophoretic, photographic, or other scientific images in a way that changes their interpretation.

Create images that falsely represent experimental observations.

Misrepresent an AI-generated illustration as an actual experimental result.

Where AI-assisted image generation or modification has been used, authors should describe the tool and the nature of the modification in the appropriate section of the manuscript.

7. AI and Research Data

AI tools may be used for research-related data processing or analysis only when scientifically appropriate and when their use is fully disclosed.

Authors must independently verify AI-assisted analyses and remain responsible for the accuracy of the resulting data and conclusions.

AI must not be used to:

Generate fabricated experimental data.

Invent participants, observations, measurements, or clinical outcomes.

Alter or manipulate research data.

Create false statistical results.

Select or modify data solely to produce a desired conclusion.

Generate misleading tables or figures presented as actual research findings.

Any intentional use of AI to fabricate, manipulate, or misrepresent research data may be considered research misconduct or publication misconduct and may result in appropriate editorial action.

8. AI and References

Authors are responsible for verifying every reference included in a manuscript.

AI-generated references must not be accepted without independent verification.

Authors must ensure that:

Every cited reference is genuine.

The cited article actually supports the statement for which it is cited.

Bibliographic information is accurate.

Appropriate original sources are cited where available.

AI-generated material should not be used as a substitute for appropriate primary scientific literature.

9. AI Use by Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers must protect the confidentiality of manuscripts submitted to IJPRMS.

Reviewers must not upload, paste, or otherwise transfer confidential manuscript content, figures, data, reviewer reports, or unpublished information into publicly accessible or third-party AI systems unless such use has been explicitly permitted by the journal and confidentiality can be assured.

Reviewers must not use AI tools to independently generate or submit a peer review without appropriate authorization.

If AI is permitted for assistance during peer review, reviewers remain responsible for:

Maintaining manuscript confidentiality.

Verifying the accuracy of any AI-assisted output.

Providing an independent and objective evaluation.

Disclosing their use of AI to the editorial office when required.

Current ICMJE guidance emphasizes that manuscript confidentiality may prohibit uploading submitted manuscripts to AI systems where confidentiality cannot be assured.

10. AI Use by Editors and Editorial Staff

Editors and editorial staff may use AI-assisted technologies only in ways that are consistent with confidentiality, publication ethics, and the journal's editorial responsibilities.

Editors and editorial staff must not upload confidential manuscripts or unpublished material into AI systems where confidentiality cannot be adequately protected.

Where AI is used for editorial or production purposes, the editorial team remains responsible for verifying the accuracy, appropriateness, and integrity of the resulting content.

Editors must not allow AI-generated recommendations or outputs to replace independent editorial judgment.

11. Confidentiality and Protection of Unpublished Work

Manuscripts submitted to IJPRMS are confidential scholarly documents.

Authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff must protect unpublished manuscripts and associated information from unauthorized disclosure.

The use of AI systems that retain, process, or reuse submitted manuscript content may create confidentiality, privacy, intellectual property, or data-security concerns. Therefore, confidential manuscript information must not be entered into AI systems unless the journal has expressly permitted such use and adequate confidentiality safeguards are in place.

12. Plagiarism, Copyright, and Intellectual Property

Authors remain responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted content does not infringe copyright, intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other legal rights.

The use of AI does not exempt authors from the journal's plagiarism and originality requirements.

Authors must:

Properly attribute sources.

Obtain permission where required.

Avoid reproducing copyrighted material without authorization.

Verify AI-generated quotations and references.

Ensure that the submitted work represents an original and appropriately attributed scholarly contribution.

AI-generated content must not be used as a means of concealing plagiarism or unauthorized reproduction of another person's work.

13. Undisclosed or Misleading Use of AI

Failure to disclose substantive AI use, when disclosure is required under this policy, may lead to editorial inquiry.

Depending on the circumstances, undisclosed or misleading use of AI may result in:

A request for clarification or disclosure.

Correction of the published article.

Reassessment of the manuscript.

Rejection or withdrawal of the manuscript.

Retraction of a published article.

Notification of the authors' institution or other appropriate authority where serious misconduct is suspected.

ICMJE notes that nondisclosure of AI use may require corrective action and, in some circumstances, may be considered misconduct.

14. Responsibility of Authors

The corresponding author and all listed authors are responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy.

By submitting a manuscript to IJPRMS, authors confirm that:

All authors have reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript.

Any required use of AI-assisted technologies has been disclosed.

AI has not been listed as an author or co-author.

AI-generated information has been appropriately verified.

The manuscript contains no intentionally fabricated data, references, images, or scientific claims.

The authors accept full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of the submitted work.

15. Policy Updates

IJPRMS may periodically revise this policy to reflect developments in artificial intelligence, research practices, publication ethics, copyright requirements, data protection, and recommendations from recognized organizations.

Authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff are expected to comply with the version of the policy applicable at the time of their participation in the publication process.

Suggested AI Disclosure Statement for Authors

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies: The authors declare that [name of AI tool] was used during the preparation of this manuscript for [describe purpose]. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and final content of the manuscript.

No AI Use Statement

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies: The authors declare that no Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the preparation, analysis, or generation of this manuscript, except for routine software functions that do not generate substantive scholarly content.