XN000022-1979-02-04 — Page 5

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURES

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THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED MORE THAN 3,000 CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS SINCE THE REVISED PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR.

SO FAR, NEARLY 12,000 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION FROM IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND ARE BEING PROCESSED.

+WE EXPECT MORE TO COME BECAUSE, ON ESTIMATE, ABOUT 25,000 PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

WARNINGS HAD BEEN SENT TO IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS REMINDING THEM TO MAKE PROMPT REGISTRATION OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT FACE PROSECUTION, HE ADDED.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED REGULATIONS IS AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC FROM COUNTERFEIT, DEFECTIVE AND SUB-STANDARD PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

TO ENFORCE THESE REGULATIONS EFFECTIVELY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP THREE SPECIAL SECTIONS DEALING WITH INSPECTION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING CONTROL RESPECTIVELY.

THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SPOT CHECKS AND PROSECUTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HELPS IN TESTING PRODUCTS.

+AT PRESENT, BETWEEN 2,500 AND 3,000 MEDICINE COMPANIES, 80 PHARMACIES, 600 WHOLESALE POISON DEALERS AND ABOUT 90 PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR INSPECTIONS, + HE SAID.

ANOTHER SECTION -- THE PHARMACEUTICALS REGISTRATION AND MANUFACTURERS LICENSING SECTION DEALS WITH THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES FOR REGISTERED PRODUCTS.

UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, EVERY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT ON SALE MUST CONFORM TO CERTAIN STANDARDS OF SAFETY. QUALITY AND EFFICACY AS LAID DOWN BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD BEFORE IT IS REGISTERED AND PASSED FIT FOR SALE.

+NEW PRODUCTS ARE GIVEN A TIGHTER SCRUTINY. SINCE ASSESSMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS TAKES MORE TIME, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PROCESSING APPLICATIONS OF THIS KIND, HE POINTED OUT.

THIS SECTION IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR GRANTING LICENCES TO MANUFACTURERS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

DETAILED INSPECTION AT THE APPLICANTS' PREMISES ARE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THEY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS BEFORE A LICENCE IS GRANTED.

/+SO FAR,