US Food and Drug Administration to increase India staff [View All]

[OhioChick]

Source: Economic Times of India

27 Sep, 2011, 05.53AM IST, ET Bureau

MUMBAI: The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has decided to increase its India staff as the US has become one of the largest consumers of Indian foods and medicines. The USFDA, which started India operations in 2008, has 12 staff members in the country, including one inspector each in Mumbai and Delhi.

The USFDA has international operations only in India and China. "We have found that the US is the one of the largest consumers of Indian generic medicines, hence the need to increase the inspecting staff," said an FDA official , who did not wish to be quoted. The export of food items from India to the US is also going up.

According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, India is the largest exporter of generic medicines in the world. It exports medicines worth . 50,000 crore, bulk of which goes to the US. Apart from generic medicines, India also exports dietary and nutraceutical supplements and sea food like shrimps to the United States. Outside the US, India has the highest number of FDA approved plants, at 120.

But there are concerns too, as Indian manufacturers often get warning letters from FDA due to their scarce understanding of FDA guidelines. "Today maximum inspections happen in India ," said Daara Patel, secretary-general , Indian Drug Manufacturers Association .

Read more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/jobs/us-food-and-drug-administration-to-increase-india-staff/articleshow/10134505.cms