Why is the US FDA chief Margaret Hamburg visiting India?

In the light of the recent events like FDA banning drugs from Ranbaxy for their alleged violations of the US regulations, one wonders if there is any connection to the USFDA chief Margaret A Hamburg making her maiden visit to India next week. During her stay in the country, she will travel to New Delhi, Cochin and Mumbai, a statement said today. Her India trip from February 10 to 18 is aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the FDA and its Indian regulatory counterparts, the federal regulator said. (Read: Cadila gets USFDA nod for anti-depressant drug)

'The FDA's ongoing engagement with our regulatory counterparts in India is critical to our ability to effectively promote the health and safety of American and Indian consumers,' Hamburg said. 'I look forward to enhancing our existing relationship and identifying additional opportunities for collaboration,' she added. During the trip, Hamburg will meet with Indian leaders involved in the regulation of medical and food products exported to the US. Indian regulators are important strategic partners to the FDA and regular engagement is essential, the FDA said in a statement. (Read: FDA to review data on possible carcinogens in Coke, Pepsi)

Currently, India is the second largest provider of finished drug products and the eighth largest exporter of food products to the US. FDA said the cooperation of US and Indian food and drug officials is wide ranging, from sharing information on the conduct of clinical trials to jointly addressing product safety issues that may have an impact on both American and Indian consumers. Hamburg will also meet with industry leaders in India to discuss the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in producing goods to ensure consumers have access to safe products. (Read: FDA makes prescriptions patient-friendly)