MEDIA RELEASE PR38280
Global Pharmaceutical Quality Supported by USP Expansion
HYDERABAD, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
India and USP Strengthen Partnership
As part of its mission to help ensure the quality, safety, and benefit of
medicines and foods worldwide, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) held a
groundbreaking ceremony for a planned expansion of its USP-India Private
Limited facility in Hyderabad. Headquartered outside of Washington, DC, USP
is a nonprofit scientific organization that sets standards for the quality,
purity, strength and identity of drugs, food ingredients and dietary
supplements. USP's drug standards are legally enforceable in the United
States, and all three types of standards are used in more than 130 countries.
USP-India Private Ltd., located in Hyderabad's ICICI Knowledge Park, was
USP's first laboratory and office facility outside the United States.
Existing strong relationships between USP and Indian government, academic and
industry representatives have been enhanced by USP's direct presence since
the facility opened in 2005. USP-India Private Ltd. now employs 40 people,
all Indian nationals, and provides in-country service to its many
stakeholders in India and elsewhere in South Asia.
"The impressive growth of the Indian pharmaceutical sector over the past
few years has increased demand for USP's products and services," said Roger
L. Williams, M.D., USP's chief executive officer. "I've been very gratified
by the relationships we've been able to forge with so many distinguished
scientists and other officials in India, and the groundbreaking today marks
the next phase in those relationships. The much larger facility now building
will allow us to work more closely with the Indian Pharmacopoeial Commission,
manufacturers and other stakeholders in India to help ensure the quality of
the Indian food and drug supply, for use in India and for export as well."
Mr. B. P. Acharya, Chairman of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development
Authority, noted, "I am pleased that USP is expanding its facilities and
activities in India, and that it established its office at Hyderabad, India's
pharmaceutical hub. USP's presence has been a significant benefit to the
local pharmaceutical industry and that will only increase with the
expansion."
Mr. B. Sam Bob, Principal Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh,
Commerce and Industries affirmed, "I am pleased to participate in the
groundbreaking for USP-India's new facility. The government of Andhra Pradesh
has an excellent working partnership with USP-India, and their commitment to
an expanded, long-term presence is most welcome. We will continue to work
together to secure high quality drugs in India, which our citizens have a
right to expect."
USP-India Private Ltd. currently works with Indian manufacturers on
collaborative testing, verification testing, pharmacopeial education,
customer support, and sourcing of written and physical standards for drugs.
The new facility marks a significant increase in capability, going from
14,000 square feet to nearly 94,000 square feet with room for further growth.
Additional staff will be hired, allowing expanded work in analytical
chemistry and collaborative testing, and new initiatives in bio-analytic
chemistry and testing, and synthetic chemistry.
For more information, contact mediarelations@usp.org.
USP-Advancing Public Health Since 1820
The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific,
nonprofit, standards-setting organization that advances public health through
public standards and related programs that help ensure the quality, safety,
and benefit of medicines and foods. USP's standards are recognized and used
SOURCE: U.S. Pharmacopeia
CONTACT: Laura Provan of U.S. Pharmacopeia,
+1-301-816-8268; lnp@usp.org
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