PHILFIT 2024
Philippines International Fitness and Wellness Expo
August 14-16, 2024
SMX Convention Center Manila,
Mall of Asia Complex
Pasay City, Philippines
Eleveate your Wellness Journey:
Empowering Health and vitality for al
HADSAP: Bridging the Gap
Last March 21, 2024, HADSAP welcomed its members to the first General Membership Meeting this year at the 4LIFE Training Center in Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan, Mandaluyong City.
HADSAP COMMITTEE UPDATES:
For the Committee updates, the Scientific and Education Committee (SEC) shared its 2024 plans. The committee vows to work harder this year to strengthen the credibility and partnerships. They also want to elevate the HADSAP Talks, establish a culture of sustainability, and continue to support ASEAN TMHS Harmonization by submitting position papers and conducting public consultation updates.
AAHSA UPDATE ON ASEAN EFFORTS
With the Philippines growing power in the region, Patrick Kalona, Chairman of AAHSA said that the health industry is actively pushing to improving the conditions and regulations in Food Supplementation.
He also announced that AAHSA will be hosting an event in the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta scheduled on September 17-19 this year. Speakers from ASEAN and IADSA will be invited to share their knowledge and experiences in improving the Food Supplements regulations.
FDA UPDATE
Ms. Joan Marie C. Alcazar, RND (Food-Drug Regulation Officer III, Licensing and Registration Division gave an update on the 34th Meeting of TMHS PWG was held last November 29-30, 2023 via video conference. The meeting, led by FDA Chairperson and Director General, Dr. Samuel A. Zacate and Vice Chairperson and Senior Consultant of Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, Mrs. Marie Tham, was well attended and all member states unite and gathered to attend this important event.
One of the major topics discussed is the “Development of an ASEAN Regulatory Framework for TMHS” where Indonesia raised clarification related to GRTK (TM concern). FDA Technical Working Group also presented the on-going draft policies for the Unified Licensing and schedule of fees, which once finalized and approved will be posted in a local newspaper. Meanwhile, the Center for Food Regulation and Research are also drafting policies on maximum limits of vitamins and minerals and working on the revision of AO 2014-0029 and the consolidated allowed nutrition claims. Claims remains a challenge to both FDA and the industry, the consolidated allowed nutrition claims will serve as a guiding principle for both FDA and the industry. The reference countries include Malaysia, Singapore, EU among others.
FDA Direction: FDA is continuously working on the digitalization process/online payment and real time posting as requested by the industry stakeholders for the applications to progress faster. As this has not been in placed yet, FDA plans to have an additional cashier to serve those who will pay physically. As for the evaluators, FDA is currently utilizing their existing and limited manpower. They also do quarterly retooling for registration.
Other FDA-related concerns: Medical claims for other FS products is a violation and FDA has an enforcement unit and inspectors are monitoring the products as part of their mandate. Companies are welcome to report to help FDA issue administrative sanctions for these violative products.
On the FS online/internet transactions, FDA’s RA 9711 does not cover online transactions. This should be an inter-agency (FDA-DTI) concern.
ARTA: ADVANCING THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES
ARTA’S Initiatives (on the macro perspective) are Improving Quality of Regulations; Mapping & Streamlining Process; Digitalization of Services; Securing Compliance; and Legal & Public Assistance.
ARTA is working on streamlining and optimization of regulations and processes on sectors with significant impact on the economy through Assessment (Training, Manual, Workbook, PGRP), Business Process Reengineering, Transformation Hub.
GMM Sponsor on Spotlight: Platforce
For the first GMM. HADSAP was fortunate to have Platforce as event sponsor. Mr. Christopher Bautista presented its company’s Exclusive Solutions for Pharma and Life.
OUT AND ABOUT
Ask Us – The Faster way to connect with HADSAP
HADSAP’s new feature – the Ask Us email account, was created to make communication easier for members. With Ask Us, you can ask questions about the membership, annual dues, account standing, association’s projects, regulatory issuances or request information related to the industry and the organization, concerns and issues to any of our Board of Trustees. Through ask_us@hadsap.org, you’ll be sure to get a response!
So, Ask Away, Ask Us!