The sixth of a series of six virtual workshops on current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to support and build capacity in the quality management systems of Indian pharmaceutical industries to provide world-class quality medical products was recently inaugurated by S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India. 

The workshop addresses the vital importance of strengthening the capacities of Indian pharma manufacturing facilities to meet the current GMP and sharing global practices to promote availability and access to quality medical products.

The initiative is the result of effective collaboration between the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), the World Health Organization (WHO), JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research at Mysuru (JSS AHER) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). 

Aparna said, “The workshops have recognised and identified some of the existing challenges and vulnerabilities and have addressed them, which reinforces the utility and the necessity of these series of workshops. This will have a far-reaching positive impact on enhancing the quality systems for the production of high-quality APIs.”

Dr VG Somani, Drugs Controller General of India, said, “The workshops have helped in creating awareness not only on the latest developments in GMP but the entire product life cycle of pharmaceuticals. The topics covered to support the planned regulatory revisions for the Indian pharma sector and support our constant endeavour that our standards are at par with the best in the world."

Speaking on the occasion, the WHO representatives from HQ, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, and WHO Country Office for India said that it is for the first time anywhere in the world that a programme like this has been attempted. It is a unique collaboration between the ministries, WHO, industry, academia and other stakeholders for fostering the quality and handholding of the Pharma manufacturers.