title: [PICS: pharmaceutical inspection cooperation scheme].
abstract: The pharmaceutical inspection cooperation scheme (PICS) is a structure containing 34 participating authorities located worldwide (October 2008). It has been created in 1995 on the basis of the pharmaceutical inspection convention (PIC) settled by the European free trade association (EFTA) in1970. This scheme has different goals as to be an international recognised body in the field of good manufacturing practices (GMP), for training inspectors (by the way of an annual seminar and experts circles related notably to active pharmaceutical ingredients [API], quality risk management, computerized systems, useful for the writing of inspection's aide-memoires). PICS is also leading to high standards for GMP inspectorates (through regular crossed audits) and being a room for exchanges on technical matters between inspectors but also between inspectors and pharmaceutical industry.
authors.affiliation: Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé (Afssaps), 143-147, boulevard Anatole-France, 93200 Saint-Denis, France. jacques.morenas@afssaps.sante.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morénas
mesh_terms: D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000592:standards; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration; D005062:European Union; D005544:Forecasting; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007390:International Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008330:Management Audit; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011996:Records / Q000592:standards; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D012957:Societies, Pharmaceutical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations