MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to increase monitoring of drugs from pharmaceutical companies in India, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., said during a Friday afternoon news conference.
As the second largest supplier of over-the-counter and prescription drugs sold in the United States, India "stands out as particularly important," Hamburg said during the news conference. Commenting on her recent trip to India, Hamburg said she signed a non-binding "statement of intent" with Indian government officials that will lead to more cooperation between the FDA and its Indian counterpart.
As the amount of drugs made in India has increased, problems with quality have increased and the FDA has sent warning letters to several Indian drug makers in recent years, according to published reports. During the press briefing, Hamburg was asked repeatedly if the FDA was singling out India.
"The fact that we have increased our presence in India is true, but it reflects the fact that India is a very significant and growing player in the U.S. marketplace," she said. Currently, there are 12 FDA inspectors in India, and that number is expected to grow, Hamburg said. She added that the FDA's efforts in India aren't any different from those in the United States or other countries. "If a company is manufacturing a product for sale within the United States, they have to meet our regulatory standards and requirements," she said. "What's happening in India is consistent with what happens within the United States and throughout the world."
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