National Drug Authority (has taken part in the just concluded International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRAs) where participants discussed cross cutting issues ranging from quality of herbal medicines, homeopathy, regulatory reform and medicines safety.
The conference which also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration of WHO member states, took place in Ireland’s capital Dublin. Ugandan’s delegation was led by Secretary to the Authority Dona Kusemereirwe.
ICDRAs have been instrumental in guiding regulatory authorities, WHO and interested stakeholders and in determining priorities for action in national and international regulation of medicines, vaccines, biomedicines and herbals.
Other discussed issues include quality issues, counterfeiting, access, regulation of clinical trials, harmonization, new technologies and e-commerce however Recommendations are proposed for action among agencies of WHO and other related institutions.
They asserted that regulatory authorities continue to face challenges of globalization and extension of free trade, while increased responsibilities from expansion of the market and the improvement and sophistication of products place heavy demands on regulatory systems and knowledge bases.
They also noted that the development of cutting edge technologies and health care techniques and extensive use of the Internet impose further complex challenges.