US HHS opens Food and Drug Administration offices in India

Ahead of the change in the US Administration with the inauguration of Barack Obama as US President on January 20, which will see both men  relinquish their posts, Secretary for Health and Human Services Mike  Leavitt and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von  Eschenbach marked the opening of HHS/ FDA offices in New Delhi, and  Mumbai, India.

"Through these offices, we can work more closely with manufacturers to  share best practices and ensure producers build quality and safety into  food and medical products," Secretary Leavitt said. "Consumers in India  and the USA will benefit from the enhanced safety of food, drugs and  medical devices. If called upon, we are also prepared to work with the  Indian government as it strengthens its own regulatory institutions,"  he added.

The HHS/FDA will post 10 experienced officials in India to work closely  with industries that ship food and medical products to the USA, to  improve safety and quality, which will facilitate the smooth flow of  trade. Along with the Office Director, the US agencies will have four  inspectors and five senior technical experts who will cover food,  medical devices and medicines.