UAE: Herbal Drugs Must Meet New Registration Requirements
DUBAI — The UAE Ministry of Health has suspended importing and distribution of all new herbal drugs and food supplements until the new registration procedure requirements are met.
According to a recent circular issued by the ministry, importing and distribution of new products has been suspended until the manufacturing process is evaluated and studied.
A list of herbal products that can be sold in supermarkets will be posted on the ministry’s website and updated every three months, as per the new rules.
“The local registration of the drugs and supplements is based on international requirements and standards,” said Dr Amin Al Amiri, CEO for Medical Practice and Licence at the ministry.
Three technical sub-committees headed by a higher committee comprising different authorities will ensure the safety of the drugs.
Product testing at the Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) is part of the new requirements for registration while companies importing the drugs will also be scrutinised by the panels.
Dr Amiri, however, clarified that the procedures would shorten the registration time. “We are maximising efforts to lessen the delay in registering products since the committees will meet once in every two months to submit reports,” he added.
Other requirements for the products to be registered locally include usage of the drug in two or more countries, registration with the US Food and Drug Authority, full documentation, testing in CDCL and registration of the product in the country of origin. Based on the lab tests, the panels will decide whether to approve, delay or reject the registration.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
© Khaleej Times 2009
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