‘Lot Release Certificate’ a must for vaccine imports in 2014

Private pharmaceutical companies importing vaccines will be required to submit a “Lot Release Certificate” from January 1, 2014 before marketing or selling in an attempt to streamline and ensure regulations are maintained, Director of the Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA) Dr. Hemantha Beneragama told ‘The Nation’. “The practice in the past had been to visit the local clinics for vaccines, however, we have noticed that nowadays at least 20% of Sri Lankans seek the services of a private hospital for immunization,” observed Dr. Beneragama. “From January next year, we are evolving a system where all private pharmaceutical companies will have to submit a certificate called the “Lot Release Certificate” before marketing or selling.” He added that the system is already in place for the government sector, but it will be made mandatory for private companies as well. “The certificate is issued by the Medical Research Institute for which the companies...