Japan Dispatches Liaison to Washington D.C.

Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) in February 2010 and consequently has sent out one of its executive employees as a liaison officer to the USP. This liaison officer will be responsible as the prime contact of PMDA to USA as well as helping to improve communication between the US FDA and the PMDA/Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. This decision is in line with PMDA’s International Strategic Plan, where one of its goals was to strength Cooperation with the US, the EU, Asian Countries, and Relevant International Organizations.

PMDA appointed Mr. Nobuo Uemura as the International Liaison Officer. He was dispatched to USP mid-February 2010. Mr. Uemura will stay until May 2011. His specific tasks include promoting information exchanges between USP, FDA and PMDA/MHLW, contributing to international harmonization activities where the three parties are involved such as ICH and PDG, and promoting personnel exchanges with USP and FDA to boost mutual understanding and cooperation. ICH stands for International Conference on Harmonization while PDG stands for Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group.