KUCHING, Tue- The traditional medicines sold in the market are safe for use following the registration exercise of the medicines in 1998.

The exercise is to ensure that only products that comply with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) are registered, said the president of the Federation Of Chinese Physician & Medicine Dealers’ Association of Malaysia Mr. Loh Yang Hui.

Loh, who is also the chairman of the Kuching Division Drug Merchants’ Association, was delivering his opening speech at the Traditional Medicine Registration Licensing Seminar held at a leading hotel here this morning.

More that 150 participants, some from Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, turned up for the seminar.

One of the objectives is to convey the strategy of the government’s policy with regard to the registration, licensing and practice of GMP in traditional medicine with ultimate aim of uplifting the quality of traditional medicines to an international standard.

However, Loh urged the authorities to consider extending the grace period for the East Malaysia market as the inventory of the traditional medicines sold here is still high and time needed to clear the existing stocks.

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Dr. Anis bin Ahmad, in his speech red out by the Director, National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, Mr. Leslie Teo, said, this is the first time such a seminar is being held in Kuching following those that have been held in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kota Bharu, Johore Bahru and Kota Kinabalu.

The requirement for registration of traditional medicines is being enforced as of Jan 1, 1999 after a 7 years grace period ended.

Locally manufactured products, whose registration expires this year, will have their registration extended for another 5 years if they comply with the GMP standards.

"For those products which do not meet the GMP standards, they have until June 30 this year to comply, failing which their registration will be cancelled or withdrawn". Dr. Anis said, "For manufacturers who do not meet the GMP standards, they are urged to comply as soon as possible, or they can contact their manufacturing to those who have attained the GMP. An updated list of those who have attained the GMP can be obtained from the Drug Control Authority Secretariat."

"For imported products pending registration, importers will have to attach an updated list of this pending products with their import license to prevent such products being detained during importation," Anis said.

According to Anis, the Ministry is taking these steps to ensure the quality and safety of traditional medicines and to safeguard the interest of consumers.

"To this end, product evaluation, premises regulation, analysis of samples, post marketing surveillance and adverse drug reaction are being monitored," Anis said.

"Quality and safety cannot be compromised, which is why over 40% of those submitted for registration were rejected because they do not meet the condition have been recalled," Anis added.

He warned that stern action would be taken against manufacturers and importers who do not comply with or follow the guidelines.

"However, we would prefer that the action is voluntary rather then by enforcement. Guidelines on the application for registration in Bahasa Malaysia and guidelines on GMP in English and Bahasa Malaysia are available and can be purchased at a cost of RM50 per copy from the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau," Anis said.

14/04/1999