Early Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)

USP has entered into formal agreements with pharmacopeial bodies around the world to develop closer ties and exchange scientific information and ideas. In 1994, USP signed a Memorandum of Agreement of Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with the Russian Pharmacopoeia, specifically in compendial matters. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission signed an MOU with USP in 1997 to exchange scientific staff and information, and to sell USP Reference Standards in China. Reciprocally, USP agreed to distribute the English version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. USP also has developed close ties with PAHO, exchanging information on standards and participating in international meetings. Several other MOUs have enabled professionals from other pharmacopeial organization and regulatory bodies to work with USP scientific and technical staff on a specific research-based topic related to standards development at USP headquarters.