Call for harmonization of new drug standards in East Africa

Speaking at a five-day workshop in Dar es Salaam last week, East Africa Community (EAC) members states regulatory systems for manufacturing, importation and distribution of medicines agreed that new drug standards for the region should be harmonized, reports the Tanzania Daily News.

Opening the workshop organized by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), the Acting Chief Medical Officer, Donnan Mmbando, said the move had come at the right time, when the region was implementing a four-year Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan of Action 2012-2016.

"The move guides the EAC Secretariat and Partner States towards evolving an efficient and effective pharmaceutical manufacturing industry that can supply national, regional and international markets with safe, efficacious and good quality drugs," he said in a speech read on his behalf by the TDFA Director General, Hiiti Sillo.Dr Mmbando said some of the strategic objectives of the EAC Action Plan were focused on the strengthening of the national medicines regulatory capacity in the region and development of appropriate skills and knowledge on the pharmaceutical production. Tanzania, he said will be ready to support the recommendation of the workshop in ensuring that medicines circulating in the local market meet safety, efficacy and quality specifications.