The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and the United States Pharmacopoeia, in association with USP India Stakeholder Forum will hold a two-day scientific meet from February 15 in Mumbai, to further consolidate the ties between the two countries in setting standards for drugs.

Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA), Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA), Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA), Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) are joining hands for the event. The event, to be attended by a large number of scientists, will throw up a platform for interaction with the top functionaries from both the Indian and US pharmacopoeia commissions.

A 10-member panel of scientists would represent the US Pharmacopoeia at the sixth joint scientific meeting while India would be represented by a 15-member team. Eminent scientists would lead the sessions on different topics related to drugs, biotechnology, regulatory aspects, etc.

"Besides further boosting the tie-up between the two sides, it would also be an opportunity for all interested players in the sector to hold discussions with the visiting officials and the Indian officials,'' source at the IPC said.

IP Commission and the USP Convention had signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on August 1, 2006 in Delhi, looking to strengthen the ties in the sector, besides helping the players on both the sides to have greater market access. Both the sides have been holding regular review meetings ever since.

Drug Controller General Dr M Venkateshwarlu, IPC Director Dr G N Singh, USP trustee Dr Mary Ann Koda-Kumble, USP executive vice-president and CEO Dr Roger Williams, USP chief business officer John Fowler and top scientists from leading drug research firms would be leading the sessions.

The sessions would be held on impurities in drugs substances and products, biologics and biotechnology, pharmaceutical ingredients global trends in quality assurance, herbals, traditional medicines and nutraceuticals, pharmacopoeia education, bioequivalence and dissolutions.

The stakeholder organizations will give updates on `Indian manufacturers in the global marketplace' on the first day of the event. The 6th meeting is expected to come out with a set of standards for the players at the end of discussions.