One of its nine bureaux is the Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau within which is the Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Division. This Division is responsible for review and licensing of all medicinal products and cosmetics. It acts as the focal point for ICH activities. Affiliated institutions include the National Institute of Health Sciences and academia which carries out research and testing on drugs, vaccines and biologicals. JPMA represents ninety member companies.
Membership includes all the major research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers in Japan.
ICH work is coordinated through specialised committees of industry experts who also participate in the Expert Working Groups. Among the objectives of JPMA is the development of a competitive pharmaceutical industry with a greater awareness and understanding of international issues. JPMA promotes and encourages the adoption of international standards by its member companies. The US Food and Drug Administration has a wide range of responsibilities for drugs, biologicals, medical devices, cosmetics and radiological products. The FDA consists of administrative, scientific and regulatory staff organised under the Office of the Commissioner and has several Centers with responsibility for the various products which are regulated.