Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S)
On 1 January 2011, Ukraine, represented by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, became a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S). An important step has been taken towards the integration of Ukrainian pharmacy into the global pharmaceutical community. With this step, Ukraine has committed itself to meeting international requirements for ensuring the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines at all stages of the medicines circulation. And with this step, Ukraine has committed itself to fulfilling international requirements for ensuring the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines at all stages of the circulation of medicines.
The membership of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control to the PIC/S is a recognition that the legislation on medicinal products circulation and the quality management system of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control meet the requirements set for PIC/S member countries, and that inspectors have the appropriate qualifications and experience to perform their tasks.
PIC/S is an international instrument for interaction between countries and regulatory authorities in the sphere of quality control of medicines (national pharmaceutical inspectorates), which together ensure active and constructive cooperation in the field of good manufacturing practice (GMP), inspection and licensing.
The PIC/S member regulatory authorities exchange information on manufacturing and distribution standards, licensing and inspection procedures, and conduct training for inspectors on an ongoing basis, which in turn allows them to maintain state quality control of medicines at the appropriate level, taking into account the best international practices.
There are currently 56 PIC/S Participating Authorities worldwide.