FDA asks help vs unregistered Chinese drugs, cosmetics

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is soliciting the help of Chinese drug importers, distributors and sellers to curb the proliferation of unregistered Chinese products in the country.

FDA director Nazarita Tacandong said they observed during their inspection and product monitoring activities in the market that “various imported drugs and cosmetic products in Chinese character are being widely distributed without product registration (or) notification.”

Tacandong said these products were also found to contain “impurities and contami­nation which are not allowable or beyond the allowable limits.”

“It is the mandate of the FDA to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of products under its jurisdiction. To safeguard public health and safety, there are rules and regulations governing the distribution and sale of regulated products regardless whether these are imported or manufactured locally,” she added.

To get the comments and suggestions of Chinese drug importers, distributors and sellers, the FDA had invited them to a forum on July 6 at the FDA office in Ala­bang, Muntinlupa City.

Tacandong said the traders’ opinions might help to address “related issues and concerns and matters of implementing FDA rules and regulations” on unregistered products.

As a policy, the FDA requires all products being sold in the market – whether imported or locally produced – to be registered with the agency and that they must also have labels or instructions in English or in Filipino.