FDA expands staff on huge budget rise

FDA expands staff on huge budget rise

By Shwe Yee Saw Myint   |   Monday, 02 June 2014

Double the budget, triple the staff – the Food and Drug Administration means business. Starting this year, the FDA will redouble its efforts to protect the country from substandard imported food, medicines and cosmetics, and will also improve the standards of locally produced goods.

A separate government department in its own right since April 2013, the FDA has offices in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay. Six more branch offices are already operating, and laboratories have been set up at four border gates to check incoming products.

"We have a capital budget of K700 million and K30 billion [US$730,000 and $31.25 million] for the current budget. We've increased our staff from 100 to 300 and are planning to buy new laboratory testing equipment," said FDA planning department deputy director U Sein Thaung.

The 2013-14 budget was K350 million for capital and K150 billion for operating expenses, he said.

With the extra money, the FDA plans to establish branch offices in 14 districts and to set up labs at 14 more border trade zones over the next three years.

"In the past our department did not have enough staff or testing equipment to meet our responsibility for issuing heath recommendations for locally manufactured food, or import-export goods and health certifications," said deputy director U Zaw Win. "Now we can do more quality control work. But we still have a shortage of experts because doctors and specialists don't wish to join our department.

Consumer Protection Association chair U Ba Oak Khaing welcomed the increased budget for the FDA. In the past the body could not work effectively because of budgetary issues.

"Now they have more money and support from the government so I think they can take more responsibility for ensuring food safety," he said.

He said the funding should be focused on building labs and increasing staff in border trade areas, particularly on the Chinese border.

"Many famous brands are not safe to eat," he said. "Our association discovered two or three well-known food products that do not meet our country's minimum standards and have passed on the information to the FDA."

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/03/fda-expands-staff-on-huge-budget-rise/