Geneva, 15 May 2017:
Registrations for the 2017 PIC/S Seminar on "Quality Control Laboratories: How to inspect" (Taipei, 13-15 September 2017) are now open (for National Drug Regulatory Authorities only).
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (TFDA) is honoured and proud to announce that the registration is open for the PIC/S Committee Meeting and 2017 PIC/S Seminar hosted by Chinese Taipei / TFDA in Taipei from 11-15 September 2017.
The Seminar, which will take place from 13-15 September, will be on " Quality Control Laboratories: How to Inspect " and consist in a mix of presentations and workshops.
Quality control is part of Good Manufacturing Practice for ensuring the safety, quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. Thus, the quality control laboratory plays an integral role in confirming the quality of medicinal products. Through the seminar, participants will be introduced to basic concepts, current and trending regulatory requirements, as well as specific quality issues which have impacted on the regulatory compliance of Quality Control Laboratories. The program will include topics related to GMP inspections on QC lab and will delve into OOS/OOT investigation, data integrity issues and aspects of test methods validation and verification in the context of technical transfer. The seminar will also be a great platform for both novice and experienced inspectors to enhance their inspection skills through knowledge sharing and discussion.
For more information: click here
Geneva, 12 February 2026:
The joint EMA - PIC/S drafting group has developed a concept paper on the revision of the Annex 6 (Manufacture of medicinal gases) of the EU-PIC/S GMP Guide.
This concept paper aims to outline the rationale, objectives, and proposed changes for updating the Annex 6 - Manufacture of medicinal gases, of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guide, that is common to the Member States of the European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA), as well as to the Participating Authorities (PAs) of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S).
The aim of the revision is to carry out a limited review and update of the guideline to reflect industry’s current practices, including the use of new technologies and computerized systems.
This concept paper is submitted to a joint EMA - PIC/S public consultation from 11 February 2026 until 11 April 2026 and can be downloaded on the PIC/S website (link) as well as on the EMA website (link).
Comments should be submitted via the EU Survey tool (link) in accordance with the PIC/S - EMA Harmonised Consultation Procedure.
Geneva, 10 February 2026:
The joint EMA - PIC/S drafting group has developed a concept paper on the revision of the Annex 15 (Qualification and validation) of the EU - PIC/S GMP Guide.
This concept paper aims to outline the rationale, objectives, and proposed changes for updating the Annex 15 - Qualification and validation, of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guide, that is common to the Member States of the European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA), as well as to the Participating Authorities (PAs) of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S).
The aim of the revision is to extend the scope of the annex to active substances manufacturers and to consider the revision of ICH Guideline Q9 (R1) on quality risk management.
This concept paper is submitted to a joint EMA - PIC/S public consultation from 9 February 2026 until 9 April 2026 and can be downloaded on the PIC/S website (link) as well as on the EMA website (link).
Comments should be submitted via the EU Survey tool (link) in accordance with the PIC/S - EMA Harmonised Consultation Procedure.
Geneva, 10 February 2026:
On 20 March 2025, Kazakhstan’s Committee for Medical and Pharmaceutical Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“CMPC”) and the State Enterprise on the right of economic management “National center for expertise of medicines and medical devices” (“NCEM”) of the Committee applied for PIC/S membership.
The application request was confirmed as complete at the PIC/S Committee meeting in Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China) on 3-4 November 2025, further to which a Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteur were appointed.
Geneva, 3 February 2026:
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority has applied for PIC/S pre-accession.
The pre-accession process started on 4 November 2025 following the appointment of a Rapporteur, which marks the start of the pre-accession process under the revised PIC/S pre-accession procedure.
Geneva, 1 January 2026:
On 1 January 2026, the Jordan Food & Drug Administration (JFDA) became the 57th PIC/S Participating Authority.
JFDA submitted a complete membership application in January 2021, after successfully completing the pre-accession process. A paper assessment was carried out followed by an on-site assessment visit, which took place in April 2025. The Audit team recommended to the Committee to accept the PIC/S membership application of JFDA. After endorsement by the PIC/S Sub-Committee on Compliance (SCC), the PIC/S Committee then unanimously decided at its meeting in Hong Kong on 3-4 November 2025 on the participation of JFDA in PIC/S as of 1 January 2026.