Turkey Enters the Global Pharmaceutical League

Turkchem 12 Feb 2018 57 1 dk okuma

TURKCHEM

The pharmaceutical sector received the good news it had been awaiting since 1989. After 28 years, Turkey became a full member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S). Inspections by the Ministry of Health's Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) will now be recognized globally.

Can Sökmen, General Director of Rad Ecza Deposu, provided the following information about Turkey's acceptance process to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme and the benefits it will deliver:

FIRST APPLICATION IN 1989

"To become a PIC/S member, among whom are Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Japan and Australia, Turkey's first application was filed in 1989.

This application was rejected in 1991 on the grounds that the criteria were not met. Subsequently, work was restarted over many years by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK), established under the Ministry of Health.

Turkey resumed efforts to join the organization. In 2013, Turkey reapplied for full membership in PIC/S.

In 2017, inspectors from five different countries conducted rigorous inspections in Turkey for 10 days. In the end, Turkey was confirmed to have met the criteria required for membership, which consists of 78 parameters.

TURKISH MEDICINES TO OPEN UP TO GLOBAL MARKETS

So what does PIC/S membership, which the domestic pharmaceutical sector has eagerly awaited, bring?

It will provide important advantages for TİTCK's international recognition and the pharmaceutical sector's international trade. This is because inspections conducted by TİTCK will be recognized worldwide.

The quality and safety of medicines produced in Turkey will be certified. Many countries will be able to use medicines produced in Turkey without questioning them. The barriers preventing medicines produced here from entering the global market will be removed. Turkey has thus strengthened its position in the global pharmaceutical league. With membership in the organization at the top of the global pharmaceutical sector, Turkey's pharmaceutical exports will become easier and increase."