The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) seeks to ensure that all drugs and pharmaceuticals distributed and used in both the private and public healthcare systems are safe, efficacious, of the requisite quality and are distributed in accordance with the Food and Drug Regulation of 1971.
Dr Marlan Cole
The Department has sought over the years to address the compliance of proprietors and pharmacists in relation to the trade, supply and sale of unregistered, improperly labelled (foreign language), improperly packaged and expired drugs and pharmaceuticals.
The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department has advised all importers/distributors, pharmacies and patent shops that all pharmaceuticals should be properly sealed in bottles/tubes and packages and must carry a patient information leaflet/package insert translated in English.
The department said that it continues to observe instances where medications are repackaged in Ziploc bags, envelopes and plastic cups displayed in cabinets for sale. This poor storage, the GA-FDD said, results in medicines being exposed to unsuitable storage conditions which may lead to deterioration, disintegration and ultimately loss of potency and incorrect expiration dates.
