Company Watch

Global pharmaceutical quality supported by USP expansion

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

As part of its mission to help ensure the quality, safety, and benefit of medicines and foods worldwide, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a planned expansion of its USP- India facility in Hyderabad.

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 US, and all three types of standards are used in more than 130 countries.

USP-India, located in Hyderabad's ICICI Knowledge Park, was USP's first laboratory and office facility outside the US. 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.

SP-India 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, Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, USP. "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."

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 pharma industry and that will only increase with the expansion."

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 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.