The US Pharmacopeia (USP) inaugurated its state-of-the-art office and laboratory at ICICI Knowledge Park, Shameerpet, in Hyderabad.

This is USP's first ever overseas facility, which was inaugurated by Dr. Darrell R. Abernethy, president, USP, states the media release.

Dr. Roger Williams, executive vice president and CEO, USP said establishing the site was a significant step forward for USP.

"Over the years, we have had the distinct pleasure of working with the Indian national and state governments and Indian manufacturers on many scientific and policy initiatives. With the new USP site in India, we will now be physically closer with these groups so that we can expand this cooperation. This should help accelerate both USP's and India's collaborative efforts, so we can reach mutual goals," added Williams.

Kumud Sampath, vice president, USP-India, said "USP-India would work closely together with our colleagues at the Indian Pharmacopeia as well as pharmaceutical companies with activities in India to promote the quality and consistency of medicines, dietary supplements and their ingredients."

The inauguration of the site was preceded by meetings of the USP-India Board of Directors, the USP-India Advisory Group and the India Stakeholder Forum.

The establishment of USP-India is in line with USP's global public health strategy and its primary mission to promote public health by disseminating authoritative standards and information for medicines, other health care technologies, and related practices used to maintain and improve health and promote optimal health care delivery, added the release.

Nitya Anand, member, Indian Pharmacopeia Commission; Suthirtha Bhattacharya, Commissioner of Industries and Commerce & Export Promotion, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Humayun Dhanrajgir, chairman, Ciba Specialty Chemicals (India) Limited; Milind Joshi, president, global regulatory management, JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited; V. Prakash, director, Central Food and Technological Research Institute; NS Ajit Singh, chairman, ACG Worldwide, were among the eminent personalities present at the inauguration.