SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1978
PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1
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ALL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND MEDICINE WILL HAVE TO BE LICENSED FROM JULY 1 WHEN THE NEW PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE.
THE REVISED REGULATIONS, AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC AGAINST COUNTERFEIT AND SUB-STANDARD MEDICINES WHICH USUALLY ORIGINATE FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN MID-JULY, 1975.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD ADVISED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCES MUST BE MADE ON APPROPRIATE STANDARD FORMS OBTAINABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS.
THE COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE SENIOR PHARMACIST OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD AT ASIAN HOUSE, NO. 1 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG, FOR ENDORSEMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT LICENCES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST FOUR WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE GOODS ARRIVE AND FOR EXPORT LICENCES AT LEAST ONE WORKING DAY BEFORE THE GOODS DEPART FROM HONG KONG.
AFTER THE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD, THEY WILL BE RETURNED TO THE IMPORTER OR EXPORTER.
INDUSTRY
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, AND CUSTOMS WILL NOT DEAL WITH ANY COMPLETED LICENCE APPLICATIONS UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED, CHOPPED AND SIGNED BY THE SENIOR PHARMACIST.
THE NEW PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE ALL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS IMPORTED INTO OR MANUFACTURED IN HONG KONG, TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THEY CAN BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE MARKET.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SENIOR PHARMACIST.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE NEW REGULATIONS IS TO ENSURE THAT PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS ARE UP TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S RECOMMENDED STANDARDS.
HE ADDED THAT IF FURTHER EXPLANATION OR CLARIFICATION IS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROCEDURES THEY SHOULD BE MADE DIRECT TO THE SENIOR PHARMACIST AT 5-279252.
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