Shocker: China Joins ICH -- International Harmonization of Drug Rules

China has been accepted as a member of the ICH (International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use). The ICH is a world-wide organization, originally set up by the US, Europe and Japan in 1990 to standardize global drug regulations (approvals, good manufacturing practices, etc). The news means that China intends to continue reforms that will bring China drug regulation into line with international standards. Because of the acceptance, it should become easier for drugmakers, in China and ex-China, to bring their products across borders. But how much easier and when the reforms will take effect -- those remain open questions.  More details.... Share this with colleagues: // //