New Delhi [India], October 23: NSF, a leading global public health and safety organisation, announced a formal partnership with the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) to provide a tailored Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) framework for the country’s nutraceutical manufacturers. The joint effort was made official at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, attended by NSF’s leadership team, including Pedro Sancha, President and Chief Executive Officer; Scott Morris, Senior Vice President of International Markets and Laboratories; and Jyoti Bhasin, Managing Director, APAC. IDMA Senior Vice President, Dr George A. Patani and Dr R.K. Sanghavi, Chairman, Nutra Committee, were also present.
Dr George A.Patani said, “This strategic partnership will strengthen the Indian nutraceutical industry by establishing rigorous cGMP standards tailored to local regulatory and operational requirements while aligning with global best practices.”
The significant milestone underscores the strong partnership between IDMA and NSF in various industries, including dietary supplements, food for special dietary use, food for special medical purposes, functional food and novel food, herein referred collectively as “nutraceuticals.”
“In recognising the evolving requirements of manufacturers in India, this collaboration between NSF and IDMA presents an opportunity to fulfil industry needs through a tiered approach. Together, we are committed to supporting local businesses while also meeting the demands of international trade and exports. By offering a suite of services and customising them to reflect local nuances and regulatory frameworks, we are committed to paving the way for success,” said Jyoti Bhasin, Managing Director, NSF APAC.
As outlined in the MOU, NSF and IDMA will work together in the following areas:
- Development of cGMP requirements. NSF and IDMA will develop a tailored cGMP framework for nutraceutical manufacturers based on global best practices.
- Audit and certification services. NSF will perform independent audits to evaluate compliance with cGMP standards and issue certifications to qualifying manufacturers.
- Capacity building and technical support. Both parties will co-host training programs and workshops to enhance industry capacity and understanding of cGMP requirements.
- Industry engagement. IDMA will engage NSF with its members to promote cGMP program participation and coordinate training sessions.
“NSF is proud to once again partner with IDMA and support nutraceutical manufacturers across the country,” said Pedro Sancha, President and Chief Executive Officer of NSF. “This initiative exemplifies our ‘Glocal’ strategy, which focuses on responding to local market demands using services grounded in global support. With the nutraceutical market expected to reach 30% of the pharmaceutical sector, this partnership between NSF and IDMA is key to advancing India’s manufacturing standards and unlocking tremendous growth potential.”
In 2017, NSF partnered with IDMA to address a critical industry need, providing a customised, five-module pharmaceutical quality management (PQM) education program in Bangalore. The partnership continued in 2018 when NSF again teamed up with IDMA to offer the same program in Bangalore.
Dr R K Sanghavi, Chairman, Nutra Committee of IDMA, remarked, “IDMA is proud to collaborate with NSF to elevate the standards of health supplement and nutraceutical manufacturing in India. This MoU is effective and continues to reflect the intent of both parties to work in good faith towards the shared goals in the Indian nutraceutical sector.”
About NSF
NSF is an independent, global services organisation dedicated to improving human and planet health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries. NSF has 40,000 clients across all continents and is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Food Safety, Water Quality and Medical Device Safety.
About IDMA
The Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), established in 1961 and headquartered in Mumbai, is India’s largest and most recognised pharmaceutical industry association. It represents nearly 1100 pharmaceutical companies across large, medium, and small sectors, serving as the voice of the national pharmaceutical sector at government and trade levels. IDMA is committed to promoting affordable, high-quality medicines and addressing key industry issues such as manufacturing practices, regulatory compliance, pricing, exports, and research and development. It actively collaborates with government bodies, including the Department of Pharmaceuticals and regulatory authorities, to organise workshops on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and GST, helping its members navigate the evolving landscape.
The association also undertakes social initiatives such as blood donation drives, medical camps, and free medicine distribution during national calamities. Through its initiatives like IDMA CARES, it emphasises workplace safety, prevention of sexual harassment, and sustainable business practices aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. IDMA members operate over 170 US FDA-approved manufacturing facilities, highlighting India’s strong commitment to global pharmaceutical quality standards. With extensive involvement across the Indian pharmaceutical ecosystem, IDMA remains dedicated to fostering innovation, quality, and global competitiveness in India’s pharmaceutical industry.
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Divya Agarwal
