FDA on path to establishing offices in China
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received approval from the US State Department to establish eight full time permanent FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in China, pending authorisation from the Chinese government.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received approval from the US State Department to establish eight full time permanent FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in China, pending authorisation from the Chinese government.
This is an important step forward in the FDA's plans to hire and place staff in China over the next 18 months, the agency said. In addition, it will be hiring five Chinese nationals to work with the new FDA staff at the US Embassy in Beijing and the US Consulates General in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
"In an age when a border is not a barrier, the globalised economy demands nothing less than heightened regulatory interoperability, information exchange, and co-operation, especially on product quality and enforcement matters," said Dr Murray M. Lumpkin, deputy commissioner for International and Special Programmes, FDA.
"Along with the important Memoranda of Agreement signed with two FDA counterpart Chinese agencies, our efforts to fill permanent FDA positions in China are a significant step toward ensuring access to safe food, drugs, and medical devices in the global market."
Building the FDA's capacity outside of the United States supports the agency's "Beyond our Borders" initiative, which facilitates the building of stronger co-operative relationships with the FDA's counterpart agencies around the world and enhanced technical co-operation with foreign regulators.
The permanent overseas offices in China will also allow greater access for inspections and greater interactions with manufacturers to help assure that products that are shipped to the US meet safety and manufacturing quality standards.