Geneva-based Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme has been insisting that India join the leagues so that exporters can avoid multiple regulatory checks on drugs and manufacturing facilities. The member countries of PICS procure drugs from the facilities of fellow member countries without duplicating inspections on the drugs and facilities, helping exporters substantially save on time and money.
The standards of the PICS alliance, comprising the United States and the European countries, included Good Clinical Practice and Good Pharmaceutical-vigilance Practice.
The Commerce ministry is planning to hold an open forum of Pharmaceutical Company owners in Hyderabad during the fourth week of this month for an initial round of awareness creation on the advantage of joining the PICS league.
Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) Director-General PV Appaji said the government is aware of the apprehensions of Small, Medium Enterprise drug makers. It will go ahead with PICS compliance only after convincing all the stakeholders.
