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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1978
HE SAID SINCE THE TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED IN JULY 1975 THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAD RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES CONCERNING CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE REGULATIONS.
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THESE REPRESENTATIONS, HE SAID, HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN DETAIL BY SPECIAL COMMITTEES SET UP BY THE BOARD AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN DELIBERATED UPON BY THE BOARD
ITSELF, HE SAID.
DR. THONG SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENTS HE NOW PROPOSED WAS TO CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS AND IN CERTAIN CASES TO EASE SOME OF THE MORE STRINGENT PROVISIONS.
ONE OF THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS WAS TO INCREASE THE VALIDITY OF A REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF A PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT OR SUBSTANCE FROM 12 MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS TO MAKE PROVISION FOR A PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE VALID FOR FIVE YEARS FOR A PRODUCT MARKETED IN HONG KONG BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGULATIONS.
A THIRD AMENDMENT INTRODUCES A SLIDING SCALE OF PENALTIES IN PLACE OF THE EXISTING PENALTY PROVISIONS IN THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS.
DR. THONG ALSO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEDULES TO THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS FOR INTRODUCING CERTAIN NEW SUBSTANCES TO BE CONTROLLED UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS INCLUDING RODENTICILES AND PRESCRIBING FEES FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION, APPLICATION FOR CLINICAL TRIALS OR MEDICINAL TESTS AND CERTIFICATES FOR SUCH TRIALS OR TESTS.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG WHO IS THE CONVENER OF THE UMELCO'S AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE REGULATIONS SAID HE WELCOMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPEALS COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH ANY REPRESENTATIONS THAT MAY ARISE ONCE THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
HE URGED THAT THE MATTER BE DEALT WITH AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO REMOVE THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT WHEREBY ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD IS REQUIRED TO APPEAL AGAINST SUCH DECISION DIRECT TO THE SUPREME COURT.
DR. FANG HOPED THAT COMMON SENSE WILL PREVAIL IN THE APPLICATION OF REGULATION 36 AND THAT A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TRADE TO COMPLETE ALL THE FORMALITIES OF REGISTRATION BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN AGAINST DEFAULTERS.
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IN REPLY, DR. THONG SAID: +1 AM SURE DR. FANG WILL AGREE THAT GENERALLY THERE IS NO DEARTH OF COMMON SENSE WITHIN MY DEPARTMENT AND I SHOULD LIKE TO ASSURE HIM THAT ADEQUATE DOSES OF THIS WILL BE DISPENSED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATION CONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.♦
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