U.S. FDA to begin surprise checks abroad

  • Industry News
  • May 08,25
The FDA conducts approximately 12,000 domestic and 3,000 foreign inspections annually across over 90 countries.
U.S. FDA to begin surprise checks abroad

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin conducting unannounced inspections at all foreign facilities manufacturing food, essential medicines, and medical products for the American market. This move expands the agency's Foreign Unannounced Inspection Pilot Programme, which had already been underway in India and China, and is aimed at ensuring regulatory parity between foreign and domestic manufacturers.

Martin A Makary, Commissioner, FDA said, the policy ends the double standard where foreign firms received advance notice of inspections, unlike their American counterparts. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore rigorous oversight of global supply chains and improve the credibility of foreign inspections.

The U.S. FDA’s approval is critical for pharmaceutical companies supplying to the U.S., and India, with 650 U.S. FDA-compliant plants, remains the largest base of such facilities outside the U.S. In FY25 (till February), India’s pharma exports to the U.S. grew by 14.29%, reaching nearly $8.95 billion, making the U S the largest market for Indian pharmaceuticals.

The FDA conducts approximately 12,000 domestic and 3,000 foreign inspections annually across over 90 countries. The agency pointed out that despite giving foreign manufacturers advance notice, it found serious violations twice as often as in domestic inspections.

Going forward, the FDA will also revise internal policies to prohibit its investigators from accepting travel accommodations provided by regulated entities, in an effort to enhance the integrity of the inspection process. The agency emphasised that unannounced inspections will help identify and act against bad actors who falsify data or hide violations, protecting American consumers from potential health risks.

(The Hindu)

Related Stories

Material Handling Equipment
Avians High-Speed Clean Room Doors: Advancing Contamination Control

Avians High-Speed Clean Room Doors: Advancing Contamination Control

Avians high-speed clean room doors are redefining contamination control in sensitive environments such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food production with rapid operation, energy efficiency, a..

Read more
Process Equipment
Balancing sustainability and compliance in pharma industry with HVAC solutions

Balancing sustainability and compliance in pharma industry with HVAC solutions

HVAC systems account for more than 50 per cent of total energy consumption in cleanrooms. Kishor Patil of Trane Technologies explores how energy-efficient HVAC systems can help pharmaceutical compan..

Read more
Auto & Auto Components
Indian auto component industry expects 8-10% growth in FY25: Vinnie Mehta

Indian auto component industry expects 8-10% growth in FY25: Vinnie Mehta

In this interaction with Rakesh Rao, Vinnie Mehta, Director General of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), presents his views on the impact of recent global events on Ind..

Read more

Related Products

Programmable Controllers - Pcd-33a Series

CHEMICAL PROCESS, FOOD/PHARMA EQUIPMENT & ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Pro-Med Instruments (P) Ltd offers a wide range of programmable controllers - PCD-33A Series.


Read more

Request a Quote

Gasket Graphite Powder

CHEMICAL PROCESS, FOOD/PHARMA EQUIPMENT & ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Arihant Packing & Gasket Company offers a wide range of gasket graphite powder. 


Read more

Request a Quote

Asahi Kasei expands 3D printing filament sales in North America

CHEMICAL PROCESS, FOOD/PHARMA EQUIPMENT & ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Asahi Kasei, a leading resin and compounding technology provider, has initiated the sales of 3D printing (3DP) filaments in North America through Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA). The soft la Read more

Request a Quote

Hi There!

Now get regular updates from IPF Magazine on WhatsApp!

Click on link below, message us with a simple hi, and SAVE our number

You will have subscribed to our Industrial News on Whatsapp! Enjoy

+91 84228 74016