Rokiah Mahmud
Cooperation in the field of health between the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with Australia has long been closely established.
Towards the efforts to further strengthen cooperation between the Sultanate and Australia, especially in the field of health, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between Brunei Darussalam Medicines Control Authority (BDMCA), Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) at Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care yesterday.
The virtual signing was witnessed by Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Ang Swee Hui and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management) at the MoH Dr Hajah Anie Haryani binti Haji Abdul Rahman along with senior officials under the ministry.
The MoU focussed on collaborative efforts on therapeutic products including encouraging the development of collaborative activities related to therapeutic products’ regulation; facilitate the exchange of information on the regulatory framework of pre and post market products, including information related documents on guidance, policy, practices, standards and methods.
The MoU also set as a testing system for monitoring including reporting on any safety issues of therapeutic products that could potentially have adverse effects on consumers.
In addition, apart from protecting the safety of therapeutic products, the collaborative agreement also covers efforts towards promoting health in both countries.
The permanent secretary also voiced on the importance for both countries to cooperate in ensuring improvements of services related to therapeutic products.
At the same time, he hoped that through the MoU, both countries will be able to work together towards exchanging useful information and expertise, especially in drafting regulations towards the control of therapeutic products.
He also emphasised that cooperation in the regulation of therapeutic products through the exchange of information and expertise which will increase the ability of both countries to ensure that the health and safety of the population in their regions is maintained or preserved.
The MoU signing is part of the MoH’s initiative in supporting the diversity and quality of medical services for the people and residents of Brunei in addition to capacity building for health professionals between the BDMCA and TGA.
