Posted on June, 28, 2019 at 10:09 am
THE National Assembly yesterday endorsed changes to the Standards Act where the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority becomes the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), with supervision of foods and cosmetics shifted to the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).
Tabling The Finance Bill 2019, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Ashatu Kijaji said the bill proposed amendment in Section 130 of the Standards Act. With the amendments, TBS will also be responsible for registration of buildings, products and control of imported goods, she said.
Dr Kijaji said the changes in Section 30 of the Act shifts regulatory activities of foods and cosmetics from TMDA to TBS.
“The schedule amendments proposes changes to the Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2019 to give TBS responsibilities to oversee issues related to the quality of foods and cosmetics,” she explained.
TMDA will continue with supervision of drugs, medical devices and medical reagents. The changes are meant to enhance the authority’s effectiveness in the area, she pointed out.
The Finance Bill 2019 also seeks to amend nine other laws related to finance, taxes, levies and various charges to reduce or scrap some levies. The move will help to create a friendly and coordinated tax regime, she said.
TMDA operates under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children.
Previously it was responsible for regulating the safety, quality and effectiveness of foods, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices and diagnostics. It will now be responsible for regulating drugs, medical devices and medical reagents specifically.
TBS was established through the Standards Act, number 3 of 1975 with the main responsibility of formulating standards, metrology quality control, testing and calibration, as well as overseeing training.
Source: IPP Media