On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG), Susanne Keitel, Director of the EDQM, highlighted the progress achieved by the Group towards pharmacopoeial harmonisation and its key role in reducing the need for redundant testing by manufacturers, hence increasing the availability of medicines. Representatives of the three PDG members (the European Pharmacopoeia, the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopeia) and the World Health Organization, observer to the PDG since 2001, gathered in Tokyo on 3 October to celebrate the Anniversary and discuss trends and future perspectives in the field of pharmaceutical standards worldwide.
During her speech, Keitel remarked that the work conducted by the PDG on pharmaceutical harmonisation in recent years has allowed the three pharmacopoeias to better cater to the needs of markets across the world, whose processes have been converging as a result of globalisation. Keitel explained how, by progressively reducing duplication of requirements and eliminating redundant testing, the work of the PDG has helped the pharmacopoeias to ensure their standards are not only state of the art, but also strongly reflect global reality, for the ultimate benefit of patients.
Concluding her remarks, Keitel praised the organisers for the excellent opportunity for exchange and stressed how important it was for PDG members to remain committed to transparency in their work with other pharmacopoeias and to rely on the International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias (IMWP) as the ideal discussion forum for staying up to date with progress made.
The European Pharmacopoeia considers pharmacopoeial standards a vital instrument for registration, market surveillance, free movement and trade of medicines across regions and countries. For this reason, it is actively engaged in the PDG, together with the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopeia, with the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer.
More information on the harmonisation initiatives of the European Pharmacopoeia.
More information on the PDG 30th Anniversary Symposium.
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