Indian excipient organisation on the cards for 2012?

The IPEC Federation - an umbrella organisation representing suppliers and users of pharmaceutical excipients around the world - has indicated that an Indian trade body may be set up next year, adding to existing groups in Europe, North America, Japan and China.

The International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council was originally set up in the USA over 20 years ago, with a European equivalent following shortly thereafter and Japanese and Chinese branches opening over the ensuing years.

The four associations work together on excipient safety and public health issues and to achieve harmonisation of regulatory standards and pharmacopoeial monographs, as well as taking a key role in supply chain security initiatives.

"The Federation Board received the official request to establish an IPEC association in India [and] it is anticipated that review will be completed and considered by the board and, if approved, adopted as an associate member at the IPEC AGM in February 2012," said the group in a press release.