US-FDA Commissioner Hamburg on India visit

The US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) announced that Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, MD will travel to India next week to further strengthen cooperation between the FDA and its Indian regulatory counterparts. She will visit India from 10 to 18 Feb 2014. The trip include visits to Delhi, Cochin, and Mumbai. This is Commissioner Hamburg’s first official trip to India.

During the trip, Commissioner Hamburg will meet with Indian policy and government leaders involved in the regulation of medical and food products exported to the United States. “Indian regulators are important strategic partners to the FDA and regular engagement is essential.” said the FDA.

Currently, India is the second largest provider of finished drug products and the eighth largest exporter of food products to the United States.

“The FDA’s ongoing engagement with our regulatory counterparts in India is critical to our ability to effectively promote the health and safety of American and Indian consumers,” said Commissioner Hamburg. “I look forward to enhancing our existing relationship and identifying additional opportunities for collaboration.”

The cooperation of United States and Indian food and drug officials is wide ranging, from sharing information on the conduct of clinical trials to jointly addressing product safety issues that may have an impact on both American and Indian consumers. Commissioner Hamburg will also meet with industry leaders in India to discuss the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in producing goods to ensure consumers have access to safe products.