The Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) seized a quantity of unregistered, improperly labelled and expired drugs during a recent enforcement exercise conducted in Region Four.
According to a press release from GA-FDD, the purpose of the exercise which was conducted at 16 community pharmacies, five importers bonds and six private hospitals, was to ensure that all drugs and pharmaceuticals are safe and distributed in accordance with the stipulated regulations.
Resulting from the exercise, 16 brands of prescription drugs/pharmaceuticals were unregistered, 10 brands of prescription drugs/pharmaceuticals were labelled in a foreign language and 59 prescription and over-the-counter drugs/pharmaceuticals were expired.
In addition, the Department also seized several drugs/pharmaceuticals which were left on the premises pending investigation on registration.
Further, the GA-FDD said, “According to the Food and Drug Act 1971 and Regulation 1977, regulation 78 states that every new drug/pharmaceutical must be registered and Regulation 48 stipulates that all drug/pharmaceutical must be properly packaged and labelled.”
It is expected, the exercise will be extended to the other regions and it will be “continuous and ongoing to ensure that only safe, efficacious and drugs of the best quality are distributed on our local market,” GA-FDD said.
Should any additional information be required, the Food and Drug Department can be contacted at telephone numbers 222-8859 and 222-8857.
