BP Access Guide: Online and Download Licences Explained

This page provides essential information for users accessing the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) via either the online or the Download Licence. It includes details on licence terms, access limits, system requirements, installation instructions, update schedules, and support availability.

Whether you are using the BP online or as a downloaded application, please ensure you review the relevant terms and follow the guidance provided to maintain uninterrupted access and compliance.

Use the sections below to navigate the requirements for your access type.

Single-user licences

A single-user licence (SUL) for online access to the contents of the British Pharmacopoeia is granted on a named user basis.

Browser Cookie Requirement

To access the site, cookies must be enabled and retained on your device. A unique cookie is generated based on the combination of your browser and device, which becomes one of your registered access points for logging into your SUL subscription account.

Registration Limits

  • Each SUL account allows up to two registered browser/device combinations.
  • If a login attempt is made from a new browser or device after the limit is reached, a “registration limit exceeded” message will appear.

In this case, you have two options:

  1. Swap a registration: You may choose to replace one of your existing registrations with the new one. This can be done once only.
  2. Use an existing registration: Log in using one of your currently registered browsers/devices.

To view your current registrations:

Login → Home Page → Profile → Browser Registrations

For additional registration changes beyond the one-time swap, please contact our Customer Services e-support team.

Download licences

A Download licence for the British Pharmacopoeia permits installation on up to two devices per licensed user.

System Requirements

To install and run the download, your device must meet the following requirements:

  • Windows: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) with a minimum of 8 GB RAM
  • macOS: macOS 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, Apple Silicon Macs only

Device Installation Limit

Each licence allows installation on a maximum of two devices.

Updates

Three downloadable updates will be released annually, aligned with European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) updates. These updates help ensure your content remains current and compliant and must be installed on the same devices as your initial installation.

Installation instructions

Support & Access Period

Support and access to download the product are available for 24 months from the publication date. For example: BP 2025 will remain available for download and support until 31 August 2026.

After this period, access to the download and technical support will no longer be provided.

Multi-user licences

Organisations can access the British Pharmacopoeia through a multi-user licence (MUL), which allows a specified number of users to access the content online simultaneously.

Access is available under the following licensing models:

  • Standard MUL – A limited number of concurrent users within one country.
  • Global Unlimited MUL – Unlimited concurrent users across multiple countries.
  • Academic Unlimited MUL – Unlimited access for eligible educational institutions.

This is unlike traditional per-seat licensing, where each user requires their own licence. Under the MUL model, access is shared: when the maximum number of licensed users are logged in at the same time, additional users must wait until an active session ends - either when a user logs off or is automatically logged out after a period of inactivity.

Access is granted through one or more of the following methods:

  • Inviting users - one or more licence managers are appointed within your organisation and will be granted permission to invite selected users to register and link to your subscription.
  • Domain recognition - users can register online and instantly gain access to your subscription if their email domain matches that of your organisation.
  • Third-party access management services, including Athens and Shibboleth for academic licences

For full details on how Multiple User Licences work, including terms and access configuration, please refer to: Multi-user licence Terms & Information