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The health authorities of Hong Kong and Canada today (December 5) signed "Plan of Action for Regulatory Co-operation on Natural Health Products (NHP)" to further enhance their co-operation 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 immediate effect and will be reviewed before 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 co-operation 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.
Ends/Friday, December 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:16
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