Health Legislation

This Act provides for the efficient and comprehensive regulation and control of food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, herbal drugs and poisons and repeals the Food (Control of Quality) Act, 1978, the Pharmaceuticals and Poisons Act, 1978, and provides for related matters.

This Act consolidates the law relating to narcotic drugs, makes provision for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; provides for the forfeiture of property derived from or used in illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; provides for the prevention of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and implements the provisions of the International Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

This Act establishes the Medical Stores Department for the procurement, storage and distribution of medical supplies and provides for other matters connected or incidental to the establishment and management of the department.

This Act repeals the provisions of the Food and Drugs Ordinance which relates to food; repeals the Meat Hygiene Ordinance, and provides for the more efficient control of the food industry.

The Act provides for the registration and control of medicines and related substances for human and animal use, establishes the Medicines Control Council, and outlines its powers and responsibilities. It includes provisions for the licensing of manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers, as well as measures to ensure the availability of affordable medicines. The Act also addresses the regulation of medicine pricing, generic substitution, labeling, and procedures for appeals and re-evaluation of registered medicines.