Meeting with FDA officials: MoH UM delivered the opening speech

Union Minister for Health, Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win, attended and delivered a speech at a meeting with officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Nay Pyi Taw on August 5.

Attendees included FDA directors and heads from regions and states. The Union Minister began by noting the significant progress the FDA has made between 2021 and 2025. He highlighted the opening of new branch offices in Yangon and Mandalay, as well as a training hall and warehouse in Nay Pyi Taw.

He recognized that since its implementation in 2021, the e-submission system has brought advantages like increased transparency and ease of use for consumers. He also mentioned that under the guidance of the Central Committee on Illegal Trade, the FDA has been working to crack down on the import of counterfeit and substandard drugs at border crossings. He stressed the importance of systematically inspecting drugs at these checkpoints.

The Minister urged the FDA to continue its efforts to obtain ISO certification for its drug and food chemistry laboratories. He also instructed officials to process new and renewed food and drug registrations in a timely manner to avoid burdening business owners.

Afterward, attending officials discussed their work and needs, and the Union Minister and Directors-General provided guidance. In the afternoon, Union Minister attended another meeting with officials from the Department of Traditional Medicine, the University of Traditional Medicine, region and state heads, hospital superintendents, and factory managers in Nay Pyi Taw.

In his speech, the Minister noted that the Department of Traditional Medicine had successfully conducted systematic research on Say-Na-Thar traditional influenza medicine to treat COVID-19.

He stressed the need for broad and effective measures to build public trust in traditional medicine. He also recognized the opening of a PhD program at the University of Traditional Medicine as a significant achievement. The Union Minister emphasized the importance of passing on the legacy of traditional medicine to the next generation and urged the department to increase its focus on scientific research.