Geneva, 1 January 2025:
The PIC/S Executive Bureau is particularly pleased and proud to announce that it has recruited Jeffrey Hodgson to be the new Secretary of PIC/S as of 1 January 2025, following a series of interviews that took place at its premises in Geneva.
Jeffrey has been working for PIC/S since 2010 and as Deputy-Secretary in particular since 2016. His professional and personal skills will be a major asset for the future development of the PIC/S operations. He has demonstrated his qualities for many years and has worked with and been appreciated by all members of the Committee of Officials but also with all stakeholders. He is also one of the key players in the links established with structures such as ICH, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others. Finally, he also benefits from the support of the PIC/S team in Geneva, which is another valuable asset.
A warm welcome to Jeffrey in his new role as Secretary of PIC/S!
Geneva, 28 July 2026:
Registrations for the 2026 PIC/S Seminar on “Digital Transformation in GMP” which will be hosted by Türkiye / TMMDA from 4-6 November 2026 are now open (for Medicines Regulatory Authorities only). Deadline for registrations is 31 August 2026 (early-bird) and 23 October 2026 (standard).
For more information, please contact the PIC/S Secretariat.
Geneva, 28 July 2026:
On 15 July 2026, a Rapporteur was appointed by written procedure for the pre-accession application of Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), for which a pre-accession application was received on 5 March 2026.
In line with the revised PIC/S Guidelines for the Pre-Accession Procedure, the designation of the Rapporteur marks the start of the pre-accession process.
Geneva, 28 July 2026:
On 17 December 2025, the State Entity “Center of Good Practices” of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Institution “Center for Pharmaceutical Products Safety” under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, submitted a joint membership application to PIC/S.
The application received was completed on 15 January 2026, further to which the Rapporteurs and Audit Team are in the process of being appointed by written procedure.
Geneva, 16 July 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 was submitted to a joint EMA - PIC/S public consultation and comments have been collected until 9 April 2026. Following the public consultation, the initial timetable has been revised, and only this section has been updated accordingly.
The revised Concept Paper can be downloaded on the PIC/S website (link), as well as on the EMA website (link).
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.