Mission

Harmonisation for Better Health

The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) is unique in bringing together the regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry to discuss scientific and technical aspects of drug registration. Since its inception in 1990, ICH has gradually evolved, to respond to the increasingly global face of drug development.

ICH's mission is to achieve greater harmonisation worldwide to ensure that safe, effective, and high quality medicines are developed and registered in the most resource-efficient manner. Harmonisation is achieved through the development of ICH Guidelines via a process of scientific consensus with regulatory and industry experts working side-by-side.

With ICH’s establishment as an international non-profit Association under Swiss law on October 23, 2015, ICH’s mission has been embodied in its Articles of Association as follows:

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  To make recommendations towards achieving greater harmonisation in the interpretation and application of technical guidelines.

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  To maintain a forum for constructive dialogue between regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry.

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  To contribute to the protection of public health in the interest of patients from an international perspective.

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  To monitor and update harmonised technical requirements leading to greater mutual acceptance of research data.

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  To avoid divergent future requirements through harmonisation of selected topics.

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  To facilitate the adoption of improved research and development approaches.

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  To encourage implementation of common standards through training and communication.

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  To develop policy for the ICH Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities Terminology (MedDRA).