India is looking for drug plant inspectors. It wants to reach its full planned complement of 1,364--864 of which are currently on the job--and begin inspecting foreign plants.
But even that's not enough. The Drugs Controller General of India has a long-term strategy that calls for 3,100 drug inspectors.
India cancelled 104 import licenses this year, citing quality issues, The regulator says it wants to send inspectors to the countries exporting drugs to India, and names China, Taiwan and Italy. Inspectors will check and certify manufacturing facilities and the quality of drugs, APIs and intermediates.
Separately, the Partnership for Safe Medicines last week launched its India initiative to fight counterfeit medicines. The effort includes a website intended to involve consumers in the regulatory process.
- here's the inspector story
- see the Partnership for Safe Medicines report