Strict Licensing For Imported Drugs
15-Feb-2012
KUALA LUMPUR: All imported drugs will undergo a strict licensing scheme before entering the country from July.
Saying that the move is to safeguard public health, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said drug importers would need a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licence if they want to bring in drugs and pharmaceutical products from countries without the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PICS) status.
The GMP licence is issued by the respective national drug regulatory authority of the exporting countries.
Currently, there are 35 countries under PICS status, including Malaysia and Singapore in Asia, besides other European countries.
The pharmaceutical companies will be given a six-month grace period to do the necessary before the ruling is enforced, Liow said after launching the pharmaceutical industry fact book yesterday.
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