The SCICONX Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (JPCB) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity, scientific rigor, and ethical publishing. Editors play a pivotal role in ensuring that all manuscripts undergo a transparent, fair, and constructive peer-review process. The following guidelines provide detailed instructions to assist editors in managing submissions effectively and consistently.

1. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are entrusted with the responsibility to:

1. Manuscript Screening:
   • Perform an initial assessment of submitted manuscripts to ensure alignment with the journal’s aim and scope, originality, and adherence to submission guidelines.
   • Identify any ethical concerns, such as plagiarism, duplicate submission, or data manipulation, before sending the manuscript for peer review.
2. Reviewer Selection:
   • Identify and invite expert reviewers with appropriate knowledge and experience relevant to the manuscript topic.
   • Ensure reviewers are independent, have no conflicts of interest, and provide constructive feedback.
3. Peer Review Oversight:
   • Supervise the double-blind peer review process to maintain fairness and confidentiality.
   • Evaluate reviewer comments for relevance, thoroughness, and tone, ensuring constructive and professional feedback is communicated to authors.
4. Decision Making:
   • Based on reviewer reports and personal assessment, recommend editorial decisions, including:
     • Acceptance
     • Minor or major revision
     • Rejection
   • Provide clear, concise, and professional feedback to authors, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and ethical considerations.
5. Ethical Compliance:
   • Ensure all manuscripts comply with the COPE, ICMJE, and Declaration of Helsinki guidelines.
   • Address concerns related to conflicts of interest, ethical approval for human or animal studies, and adherence to scientific integrity standards.

2. Editorial Process Workflow

1. Submission Review:
   • Confirm manuscript format, word count, figures, tables, and references are in accordance with JPCB guidelines.
2. Plagiarism Check:
   • Utilize plagiarism detection tools to verify originality. Manuscripts with substantial overlap must be flagged and addressed.
3. Reviewer Assignment:
   • Assign 2–3 independent reviewers based on expertise and availability.
   • Monitor reviewer progress and ensure timely submission of reports.
4. Evaluation of Reviews:
   • Assess reviews for fairness, relevance, and constructiveness.
   • Provide additional editorial comments if necessary.
5. Decision Communication:
   • Convey editorial decisions to authors promptly and professionally.
6. Revision and Final Assessment:
   • Review revised manuscripts to confirm that authors have addressed reviewer comments satisfactorily.
   • Recommend final acceptance or further revision if required.

3. Editorial Ethics and Confidentiality

Editors must:

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscript content and authorship.
• Avoid handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists (e.g., personal, financial, or professional relationships).
• Ensure all editorial decisions are objective, unbiased, and evidence-based.
• Safeguard the integrity of the peer-review process, preventing any undue influence or manipulation.

4. Editorial Communication

• Communicate clearly and professionally with authors, reviewers, and the editorial office.
• Provide detailed guidance to authors on revisions, ethical issues, or manuscript improvements.
• Notify the editorial office immediately if ethical concerns or disputes arise during the review process.

5. Editor Development and Best Practices

Editors are encouraged to:

• Stay updated on advances in pharmaceutical chemistry, biopharmaceutics, and publishing standards.
• Participate in training on editorial ethics, peer review, and manuscript evaluation.
• Collaborate with fellow editors to maintain consistency and transparency in decision-making.

6. Commitment to Excellence

The editorial team of JPCB is committed to:

• Upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity.
• Facilitating a fair, transparent, and constructive review process.
• Supporting authors in producing high-quality, reproducible, and impactful research.
• Ensuring the journal remains a trusted global platform for pharmaceutical chemistry and biopharmaceutics research.

Contact for Editorial Assistance:
For queries or support related to editorial duties, please contact the JPCB editorial office:

Email: editorialoffice@sciconx.org