New rules to ensure proper storage of pharma products

ABU DHABI — The authorities have set new rules and regulations on the storage and distribution of health food, herbal medicines and drugs. Any violation will lead to legal action, according to a senior health official.

By Nada S. Mussallam

Published: Wed 30 Aug 2006, 8:51 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 6:21 PM

"Private pharmacies, health food stores, herbal medicine outlets and medical stores affiliated to drug factories should abide by a series of conditions to ensure quality storage and distribution standards," said Dr Issa Al Mansouri, Director of the Drug Control Department (DCD). If any of these is found breaking rules, legal action will be taken depending on the severity of the violation, he warned.

He said that the regulations are based on the Federal Pharmacy Law No. 4 of 1983 and other ministerial orders streamlining import of medicines and manufacturing processes in the UAE. "The rules shall be mandatory for all health facilities or pharmacies responsible for storing, transporting and distributing pharmaceutical products in the country," said Dr Mansouri.

He added that storing and distribution facilities that are not licensed by the Ministry of Health like those in the frees zones should be granted licences from another legal authority or get affiliations from licensed private institutions.

Elaborating on the new regulations, Dr Mansouri said health facilities concerned should obtain a one-year renewable certificate on good storage and distribution practices from the DCD.

"Facilities should observe certain technical specifications for storage conditions. Import of pharmaceutical products will not be allowed unless importer gets the certificate," stressed the official. He said as per the rules, the pharmacist in charge who should be himself a degree holder will be entrusted with the responsibilities of immediately reporting complaints on fake and fraud medicines to the DCD.

"The pharmacist in charge should also report grievances pertaining to quality of products, serious side effects and details about fake items like quantity available and trade mark and scientific names of the products," he said.

"He should also keep record of the withdrawn quantities or expired products and whether they were destroyed," added the official.

"The pharmacist in charge should keep detailed bills of purchased goods. Legal action will be taken if any violation was detected," cautioned Dr Mansouri.