Middle East/North Africa (MENA)

As manufacturing and exportation of medicines continues from MENA grows, USP is expanding its activities throughout region. To build and strengthen relationships with MENA stakeholders, USP has hosted regional meetings and events and continues to provide support and services for MENA distributors and customers through the Europe/MENA office in Basel, Switzerland.

Collaborations

Government & Regulatory Activities

• Through the pilot Technical Assistance Program (TAP), USP is working with the Egyptian Ministry of Health to provide reference standards at a reduced cost and USP publications at no cost for government regulatory use.
• In 2010, government drug control laboratories from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia began to participate in a USP-initiated MENA regional laboratory network that is focusing on interlab performance evaluation as a way to strengthen the organizations’ technical infrastructure. In 2011, they agreed to expand the network's activities.
• USP has been working with Morocco's Ministry of Health’s, the Board of Pharmacy, and trade associations so that USP–NF standards can be optimally used in the country.

Visiting Delegations

• In 2011, USP hosted regulators and visiting scientists from Egyptian, Jordanian, and Saudi Arabian government agencies.
• Representatives of the Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association visited USP Headquarters and participated in USP’s 2009 North American Annual Scientific Meeting.
• Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Health visited USP in 2009, following up on links first established during USP science and outreach meetings in Turkey, with an emphasis on possible increased collaborations.
• USP delegations have visited medicines regulatory bodies in Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Turkey.

Events

• Since 2006, USP has held Science & Standards Symposia in the region, including Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey. Frequently cosponsored by regional industry associations, these events attract strong participation from industry, government, and academia. Learn more about past and upcoming symposia.
• USP also has expanded its outreach to MENA communities by hosting regional Stakeholder Forums.
• In February 2011, USP participated in a Moroccan Board of Pharmacy event to improve industry and government understanding of USP standards.
• USP has held Pharmacopeial Education courses in Istanbul, Turkey. View current online and classroom offerings.
• USP hosted a User Forum in 2011 in Israel to help acquaint manufacturers with USP standards and programs. Learn more about User Forums.

Convention & Volunteer Representation

These MENA countries have members and/or observers to the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, and/or citizens who serve as USP Expert Volunteers. [KEY: M–Members, O–Observers, EV–Expert Volunteers]