Plagiarism Policy

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Creativity and Innovation (IJPCI) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and ethical publishing. The journal strictly prohibits plagiarism in all forms and expects authors to submit only original work that has not been copied, fabricated, falsified, or improperly reproduced from other sources.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Copying text, ideas, figures, tables, images, or data from published or unpublished sources without proper acknowledgment.
  • Presenting another person's work, concepts, or research findings as one's own.
  • Submitting work that substantially overlaps with previously published material without appropriate citation.
  • Self-plagiarism, including duplicate publication or redundant publication of previously published work.
  • Improper paraphrasing or insufficient attribution of original sources.
  • Use of artificial intelligence-generated content without appropriate disclosure when required by journal policies.

Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts submitted to IJPCI undergo plagiarism screening using recognized plagiarism detection software before entering the peer-review process.

The editorial office evaluates similarity reports to identify:

  • Direct copying of text
  • Improper citation practices
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Potential copyright violations
  • Excessive overlap with previously published material

The similarity percentage alone does not determine plagiarism; editorial assessment considers the nature, source, and context of overlapping content.

Acceptable Similarity Limits

As a general guideline:

  • Similarity arising from references, methodology descriptions, standard scientific terminology, and properly cited quotations may be acceptable.
  • Excessive similarity, unattributed copying, or significant overlap with previously published work may result in editorial action.

The final determination regarding acceptable similarity rests with the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board.

Editorial Actions for Plagiarism

If plagiarism is detected before publication, the journal may:

  • Request revision and proper citation of sources.
  • Return the manuscript for correction.
  • Reject the manuscript outright.
  • Suspend consideration of the manuscript until concerns are resolved.

If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal may:

  • Publish a correction or erratum.
  • Issue an expression of concern.
  • Retract the article.
  • Notify the author's institution, funding agency, or relevant authorities when appropriate.
  • Restrict future submissions from the responsible author(s).

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to IJPCI are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the originality of their work.
  • Properly citing all sources used.
  • Obtaining permission for copyrighted materials where necessary.
  • Disclosing any prior publication or overlapping submissions.
  • Ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript.

Authors may be required to provide original data, supporting documents, or explanations regarding similarity concerns.

Self-Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication

IJPCI does not accept:

  • Previously published manuscripts submitted as new work.
  • Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals.
  • Redundant publication of substantially similar research without proper disclosure.

Any legitimate reuse of previously published material must be appropriately cited and disclosed during submission.

Ethical Compliance

The journal follows internationally recognized publication ethics principles and encourages responsible research and scholarly communication. Allegations of plagiarism or publication misconduct will be investigated fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with established ethical guidelines.

Commitment to Academic Integrity

IJPCI is dedicated to promoting originality, transparency, and ethical research practices. Authors, reviewers, editors, and readers share responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the scientific record and ensuring the publication of trustworthy, high-quality scholarly research.