In order to foster more scientific exchange and global harmonisation of standards in medicine and ingredients in food, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), a standard-setting organization, launched its Visiting Scientist Program.

Through the programme, international scientists from different official medicine laboratories will travel to the USP headquarters in Maryland to work there for three to six months.throughout 2010.

Saudi Arabian scientists are expected to be among the first group to take part in the programme. Last week, the USP received its first visiting scientist, Minghao Zhou from China.

The programme will offer participants a chance to develop new skills and hone existing ones in using modern analytical methods of chemical analysis of ingredients that go into drugs or food. They will also be exposed to the rigorous process of setting up standards in the US.

Each of the visiting scientists will work in an area related to their organization in one of the USP’s laboratories, such as the Biologics & Biotechnology Laboratory and Dosage Form Performance Laboratory. They will be involved with a single specific project in standards development, testing or analysis of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, excipients and/or food ingredients.

“As the trend of a global food and drug supply continues to advance rapidly, international cooperation is increasingly becoming an essential element of the work of pharmacopoeias and regulatory agencies,” Dr. Roger Williams, chief executive officer of USP, said in a press release. “The ultimate goal is to provide the best quality medicines and foods for patients and consumers within each nation and worldwide. Staff exchange such as the Visiting Scientist Program is a key approach, and USP is pleased to host these scientists.”

Applicants interested can contact USP’s Todd Cecil (tlc@usp.org) for more information.