Pharmaceutical Regulatory Information - U.S. - Canada - U.K.
Pharmaceutical Regulatory Information
Effective drug regulation on the part of nations both promotes and protects the health of the public through ensuring several things. Medicines that are of adequate quality, are safe and efficient are required. Health care professionals and patients must have the needed information to enable them to use the medications rationally. Medicines must be manufactured, stored, distributed and dispensed in appropriate manners. Any illegal manufacture and trade of drugs must be both detected and adequately sanctioned. Promotion and advertising of drugs must be balanced, fair and aimed at the rational use of drugs. Access to medications must not be hindered by unjustified regulatory work.
National governments are held responsible for the establishment for strong national drug regulation authorities (DRA's) that have a clear mission, realistic objectives, a solid legal basis, an appropriate organizational structure, suitable financing, an appropriate level of qualified staff, equipment and information, access to technical literature, and the capacity to exert effective market control. DRA's are accountable to both the government and the public at large for their decisions and should be transparent. The DRA's evaluation and monitoring mechanisms need to be built into its regulatory system to assess attainment of its established objectives.
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Mission Statement
"The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health."
For further information from the FDA, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/default.htm
Health Canada's Mission Statement
"Health Canada plays an active role in ensuring that you have access to safe and effective drugs and health products. The Department strives to maintain a balance between the potential health benefits and risks posed by all drugs and health products. Our highest priority in determining the balance is public safety. Working together with other levels of government, health care professionals, patient and consumer interest groups, research communities and manufacturers, our department endeavors to minimize the health risk factors to you and maximize the safety provided by the regulatory system for these products. We also strive to provide you with the information you need to make healthy choices and informed decisions about your health.
Health Canada is not a manufacturer or distributor of drugs and health products. We are the federal regulator. For additional drug information related to treatment options or where drugs or health products are sold, please contact your health professional or the individual company directly. Health Canada is committed to providing timely access to sound, evidence-based information. We want to ensure that Canadians remain up-to-date on current developments and issues pertaining to drugs and health products in Canada."
For further information about Health Canada, please visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/index-eng.php
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - United Kingdom
"We enhance and safeguard the health of the public by ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks.
We keep watch over medicines and devices, and we take any necessary action to protect the public promptly if there is a problem. We aim to make as much information as possible publicly available. We enable greater access to products, and the timely introduction of innovative treatments and technologies that benefit patients and the public. We encourage everyone - the public and healthcare professionals as well as industry - to tell us about any problems with a medicine or medical device, so that we can investigate and take any necessary action."
For further information about the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, please visit: www.mhra.gov.uk/index.htm
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