Geneva, 14 October 2022:
The Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) celebrated its 50th anniversary at a special symposium in Dublin (Ireland) on 4 October 2022. Since the first meeting of the PIC Committee in 1972, PIC/S has come a long way! The symposium titled “Thriving at 50 and Striving Forward” aimed at promoting and highlighting PIC/S’ contributions to international collaboration and co-operation while being resolutely turned towards the future.
The symposium was opened by Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Chief Executive, Ms Lorraine Nolan, who was hosting. The PIC/S Chairperson, Mr Paul Gustafson (Health Canada) presented on PIC/S new strategic plan for 2023-2027 while the PIC/S Deputy Chairperson, Ms Susan Laska (US FDA), outlined the evolution of pharma industry and PIC/S. The keynote speaker, Ms. Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), addressed how to strive for better international relationships and collaboration. The programme comprised a wide range of presentations and panel discussions on inspection-related topics, which included participation from Heads of Medicines Agencies, Heads of GMDP Inspectorates and official PIC/S representatives.
Close to 200 participants from all continents participated in the event, including most of PIC/S 54 Participating Authorities and 7 (Pre-)Applicant Authorities, PIC/S Associated Partner Organisations (European Commission, EDQM, EMA, UNICEF, WHO and WOAH) as well as a number of non-PIC/S Competent Authorities. The anniversary also provided a unique opportunity to meet and engage with a range of invited stakeholders present for the occasion and to reconnect with the wider PIC/S network. A more detailed press release will follow covering also PIC/S meetings and 2022 Annual Training Seminar, which took place in Dublin back-to-back with the anniversary symposium.
> To the new PIC/S Strategic Plan (2023-2027)
> To the Anniversary Programme
> To the Anniversary Group Photo
> To the Anniversary Promotional Video
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.