January 20, 2012

STANDARDS

Workshop to Examine USP’s Supply Chain Integrity Standard—USP is eager to hear from anyone dealing with the challenges of the global pharmaceutical supply chain and who is ready to find good solutions to protect patients and deter counterfeits.  Please join us at USP Headquarters on May 22-23, 2012 for the Supply Chain Integrity Workshop.  A preliminary agenda is available.  Workshop participants will have the opportunity to offer input on USP’s proposed General Chapter <1083> Good Distribution Practices – Supply Chain Integrity and discuss essential elements that can minimize risk points within the supply chain — from the sourcing of raw pharmaceutical materials to the manufacture and distribution of medicines.  The draft standard is available on the USP Web site and the deadline for comments is May 31, 2012.  The workshop offers a final opportunity to provide feedback directly to the Expert Committee.

Workshop on Standards for Identity and Characterization of Probiotics—A broad range of considerations are essential when incorporating probiotics and other microbial food cultures into food products.  USP has presented new standards to help ensure the quality of probiotics, including testing to confirm the identity upon which probiotic product safety and health claims are based.  USP’s Workshop on Identity and Characterization of a Probiotic Microorganism Used as a Food Ingredient on May 9–10, 2012 will provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss the standard and associated issues, and in the process, advance the science on probiotic microorganisms used as food ingredients. USP’s proposed standard is featured in the latest edition of FCC Forum.

Other Standards for Stevia, Infant Formula Ingredients, and Flavorings for Comment—In addition to the probiotic standards discussed above, the latest edition of FCC Forum also includes draft standards for steviol glycosides, infant formula ingredients, and eleven flavoring agents, which are available for public review and comment.  The deadline for comments is March 31, 2012. 

HEADQUARTERS

Increased Visibility of USP Verified Mark for Dietary Supplements—The USP Verified mark makes it easy for consumers to identify dietary supplements whose quality, purity, and potency have been thoroughly tested and verified.  Nature Made and Costco's Kirkland Signature products were among the first to be verified in 2002.  Nature Made is running television commercials showing USP Verified products, as is Costco.  Costco is featuring the mark throughout January 2012 on the wall just inside stores as well as in their member magazine, The Costco Connection.  A list of all participating brands is available on the USP Web site.

Live Webinars in February on Residual Solvents and Glycoprotein Glycan Analysis—USP is hosting two live webinars in February: Strategies for Addressing Residual Solvents (February 8) and <1084> Glycoprotein Glycan Analysis (February 22). On-demand webinars on various compendial and standards related topics are also available.

Apply in February for USP Summer Internships—Students of chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and related science disciplines should watch the USP Web site for information on the the USP 2012 Summer Internship Program. Selected students will spend 12 weeks at USP working on defined projects that expand and enhance USP's core strategic initiatives.

INTERNATIONAL

New USP India Lab Achieves ISO Accreditation—The laboratory at the new USP India site in Hyderabad was recently accredited by the International Organization for Standardization, meeting all ISO 17025:2005 requirements for testing and calibration laboratories.  This is the first ISO inspection since the India team moved to the new building five months ago.