Waiver Policy

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The Archives of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (APPS) recognizes that not all authors have equal access to funding for open-access publication fees. In line with the journal’s mission of inclusivity and equity, APPS offers partial or full waivers of its Article Processing Charges (APCs) under clearly defined conditions.

1) Purpose of the Waiver Policy

The waiver policy ensures that high-quality scholarly work is not excluded from publication due to financial barriers. Authors from resource-limited settings or those without institutional/funder support may apply for reduced or waived APCs.

2) Eligibility Criteria

As indicated on the legacy page, waiver eligibility is assessed based on multiple factors:

3) Scope of Waivers

Waivers may be:

  • Full waiver: 100% of the APC waived in exceptional cases.
  • Partial waiver: 25–50% discount on APCs depending on author circumstances.

Waiver decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, considering both financial need and the scholarly value of the submission.

4) Application Process

Authors must apply for a waiver at the time of submission. Applications should include:

  • A cover letter requesting a waiver with a clear justification.
  • Evidence of financial status (e.g., institutional support letter, grant status, or country eligibility).
  • Manuscript ID (if already assigned by the system).

Late waiver requests — after acceptance — are generally not considered.

5) Evaluation of Waiver Requests

The editorial office evaluates waiver requests confidentially and independently of the peer-review process. Review criteria may include:

  • Quality and novelty of the manuscript.
  • Adherence to ethical standards (research integrity, IRB approval if applicable).
  • Contribution to advancing pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences globally.

6) Transparency & Compliance

Waivers are granted fairly and consistently, following COPE’s recommendations on publication ethics. Decisions are communicated in writing, and waiver approval or rejection does not affect editorial impartiality.

7) Contact Information

Waiver requests and related questions should be directed to: