FDA Engaging with India to Establish Safety Office
Reuters reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is engaging with India to establish an office of the regulatory agency in that overseas location.
The FDA hopes to create an agency office in India before the end of the year. Target locations include Bombay and New Delhi. This new site will improve the organization’s ability to oversee the medicines, medical devices, food, and animal feed that will eventually be transported to the U.S.
This is the next step for the agency, which is currently working to establish an office in China. Concerns about items imported from China grew exponentially in light of tainted seafood, toothpaste, and pet food received in the U.S. this year that was received from the Asian nation. This was further exacerbated after the scandal from tainted heparin also traced back to China.
The interest in India arises from a growing number of exports received from that country. As well, more pharmaceutical companies are completing clinical trials there. The federal regulatory body intends to place additional offices where oversight is necessary. Future plans include opening an office in Jordan and another in South or Central America. These continued efforts will require additional funds.
June 17, 2008 Related topics: Facilities, Quality, Safety, Errors