FDA PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS

As part of the Food and Drugs Authority's (FDA's) effort to support Government initiatives of boosting the local economy, the FDA is providing technical support for some 300 vulnerable persons who belong to the PURIM Group, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). The disclosure was made during a meeting between the FDA and the NGO.

The support is to assist these vulnerable persons acquire basic skills and the understanding of the regulatory regime to facilitate the registration of their products; cosmetics and household chemicals.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Delese Mimi Darko, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA revealed that the provision of this support to these under privileged persons is one of FDA's numerous initiatives to contribute to government's vision of supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in various ways to harness their full potential as well as to alleviate poverty among vulnerable groups.

Mrs. Darko further stated that the FDA is in the process of starting a Progressive Registration System (PRS) for the cottage and small-scale industries which will guide such businesses through a series of registrations steps with the minimum requirements which will assure market authorization of their products.

Mr. Emmanuel Nkrumah, the Head of Cosmetics Department, enlightened the participants on the registration requirements for cosmetic and household chemicals and dispelled the notion that the FDA's registration process is cumbersome. He stated that the requirements include a fully completed application form, 6 samples of each product (where applicable, certificate of analysis, a copy of company's registration certificate (issued by the Registrar General's Department) and the payment of the requisite registration fees.

Mr. Nkrumah explained that as part of the process, the FDA would conduct a facility inspection to ensure the site and the processes used for the manufacturing is in compliance with current codes of Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and will not compromise the quality, safety and efficacy of the products.

The founder of the NGO, Ms. Aku Purim said the aim of the organization is to organize and empower young persons, marginalized and vulnerable ladies such as the Head Potters (Kayayei), street girls and teenage girls especially in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono and Ahafo Regions.

She was also delighted the FDA was ready to provide the needed technical support that would gradually ease the socio-economic burden on the marginalized in the society.

After the deliberations, the FDA agreed to a proposed criterion that will significantly reduce the amount that will be paid for the registration of products by members of the organization.