USP India (United States Pharmacopeia) is undertaking 'Ingredient Verification & Qualification Programme' and is issuing certificates to the beneficiaries. USP has already visited Delhi, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad from May 1 to 4, 2006. It has arranged meetings in other parts of the country in the next few days.

A series of meetings are going to be held in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad between May 5 to 10, 2006. Senior officials from USA are participating in the meetings.

USP inspects, educates, assists and issues certificates to the qualified companies with respect to APIs, neutraceuticals, herbals, dietary supplements etc. These certificates are expected to be helpful to the companies in establishing their quality of the product and availing market opportunities in the US and several Latin American Countries, where US standards are followed.

USP a statutory body, set up by the Govt of United States for setting up standards for drug substances and formulations used in the country, has established its office in India at Hyderabad recently, for the first time outside USA.