In a significant stride towards international cooperation, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been informed about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked on June 4, 2023, between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Suriname. This pivotal agreement was solidified during the visit of the Indian President to Suriname.
The core objective of this MoU is to foster a productive dialogue on regulations concerning medical products and other pertinent subjects. The agreement lays the groundwork for collaboration and the exchange of vital information between CDSCO and Suriname’s Ministry of Health, aligning with their international obligations.
Key areas of cooperation under this MoU encompass:
Regulatory Framework: Promoting mutual understanding of each party’s regulatory procedures, requirements, and processes. This paves the way for future initiatives to strengthen regulatory practices on both ends.
Practices Exchange: Collaboration on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GPvP).
Indian Pharmacopoeia Recognition: Acknowledgment of the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Safety Information Exchange: Sharing safety-related information, including Pharmacovigilance and adverse events, particularly in cases of safety concerns involving medicines and medical devices.
Scientific Engagement: Participation in scientific conferences, symposiums, seminars, and forums organized by either party.
Capacity Building: Joint efforts in mutually agreed-upon areas to enhance expertise.
International Coordination: Collaborative engagement at international platforms.
Exploration of Common Interests: Pursuit of other shared areas of interest.
This MoU is poised to facilitate the export of medical products, contributing to foreign exchange earnings and aligning with India’s self-reliance goals. Additionally, it is anticipated that harmonizing regulatory practices could bolster pharmaceutical exports from India, potentially leading to increased job opportunities for skilled professionals within the pharmaceutical sector.
By fostering convergence in regulatory practices, the MoU is expected to boost the export of medicines, raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices, and cosmetic products. This collaborative effort promises to enhance understanding and cooperation in matters pertinent to medical product regulation, as well as administrative and regulatory aspects within the jurisdiction of both parties.
The MoU not only signifies a step forward in India’s global engagement but also underscores the nation’s commitment to upholding stringent standards in the medical products sector. Through this partnership, India and Suriname are poised to create a more robust and harmonized regulatory framework that benefits both nations and bolsters the pharmaceutical industry’s growth.