Monday, December 8, 2008

Arrangement on the control of natural health product.Canada/ Hong Kong

Arrangement on the control of natural health product

The health authorities of Hong Kong and Canada today (December 5) signed "Plan of Action for Regulatory Cooperation on Natural Health Products (NHP)" to further enhance their cooperation in the regulation of NHP.

The document was signed by the Director of Health of Hong Kong, Dr P Y Lam and the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada, Ms Meena Ballantyne to establish formal mechanisms for joint co-operation and exchange of information on
NHP between the two places.

It came into effect immediately and will be reviewed prior to the expiry of the four-year term.
NHP include vitamins, minerals and traditional Chinese medicines.

The plan of action is formulated to establish a clear framework for communication, maintaining ongoing dialogue, developing mechanisms for joint collaboration and exchange of relevant information on NHP between Hong Kong and Canada.

It will enhance the safety, quality and efficacy of NHP and strengthen reciprocal knowledge, understanding and updates of regulatory frameworks of the two places.

"The signing of the action plan today will formulate our working relationship and I have confidence that the synergies we achieve will certainly go a long way safeguarding and promoting the health of people of Canada and Hong Kong," Dr Lam said.

Under the Plan of Action, the areas of cooperation between Hong Kong and Canada include:

1) exchange of information such as monographs, pharmacopoeia, standards, guidelines, terminology of natural health products;
2) communication of adverse reaction reports, recalls, and other public warnings; and
3) conduction of joint workshops, technical exchanges and visits

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