E-drug: Country of origin (cont'd)
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Dear E-druggers,
I agree with many people that the term "Country of origin" is
misleading and requires a qualification. In Kenya when the EPZ -
Export Processing Zones were established the term proved to be very
confusing in the legislation requirements for pharmaceutical factories.
The drug registration laws of Kenya state that no drug should be
registered in another country or in Kenya before it is registered in
the country of origin. However, the EPZ regulations state that products
made in the Zone are for export only, which leaves uncertainty as to
what will be the country of origin of these EPZ products.
Where will EPZ companies sell their products first? Most drug
regulatory authorities require a certificate of free sale if the
pharmaceuticals will be registered outside the country of origin? This
was an issue in 1992, but later it was learnt that most companies
coming into Kenya as EPZ were mostly interested in capturing the
Kenyan market and using the EPZ program to be exempted from taxes
or for other benefits.
Bilha Kiama Murage
Chief Pharmacist, KNH, Kenya
BPharm. UON, Kenya
Currently MPH Program, Boston University
Email bmurage@bu.edu
tel +1 617 268 7757
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