The Federal Food & Drug Authority launched a central electronic information system to ensure and maintain the information chain in the registration, licensing, import and quality assurance of medicines. The system is one of the major five-year plans for the health sector, according to Amin Aman (MD), minister of Health. The system helps to regulate medicine from both international and local suppliers, agencies, warehouses and each clinic across the country and also to dispel expired medicines. “The system is not optional but necessary for the nation,” said Heran Gerba, director of the Authority. As a result of a foreign currency shortage, the nation has been faced with recurrent medicine shortages that have led to a black market trade. The Authority recently issued a circular to ease registration and licensing requirements for medical supply equipment importers.
