Pretoria - Cabinet has approved that the Department of Health can host the 17th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities from 27 November to 2 December this year. The conference will be organised in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“This reflects government’s commitment in addressing global health challenges on harmonisation of regulations and improve the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines and medical devices,” a Cabinet statement said.
The consultative forum for medicine regulatory authorities of the 194 WHO member countries aims to address the regulation of medicines and medical devices and harmonisation of regulatory principles.
Cabinet said hosting the conference will strengthen the national medicines regulatory authority, the Medicines Control Council, and systems for medical products. Discussions will also contribute towards informing harmonisation and uplifting regulatory standards in Africa and the Southern African Development Community, it said.
“It also gives recognition of South Africa as a global role-player in the regulatory oversight of medicines and related products. The country will have an opportunity to participate in the formulation of international drug policies that may become mandatory on WHO member countries.”
Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the co-hosting of the 2nd World Breastfeeding Conference by the Department of Health and the International Baby Food Action Network, from 11 to 14 December 2016. The meeting will be held under the theme “Let’s invest in creating an enabling environment for mothers and babies”.
“This signals South Africa’s commitment to strengthen the call to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and further enhance the infant and young child nutrition agenda.
“This contributes to achieving one of the nine long term health goals set out in the National Development Plan; reducing maternal, infant and child mortality.”
The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals also place emphasis on improving nutrition. The Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, has one of six global targets for nutrition to increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months to at least 50% by 2025. –SAnews.gov.za
