The Bahamas Pharmacy Council is requesting all importers of prescription and over the counter drugs, to provide to the council, a listing of all products imported during 2012-2013.

The data submitted should include the following. 1. Category of Drug 2. Brand Name 3. Chemical Name 4. Strength 5. Pack Size 6. Manufacturer 5. Country exported from.

The Council requests that this information be supplied electronically, preferably in an excel spreadsheet (sample attached) by August 1st, 2013.

Importers of pharmaceuticals would include any individual, business, wholesaler, retailer or physican who imports a drug (prescription or over the counter) for sale or distibution to the general public.

Your cooperation would greatly assist us in our goals as we work towards the process of product registration in the country, which would ultimately assist in ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of products available in The Bahamas. (Please note that it may be of benefit to importers that the council is aware of what is already in country, prior to the start of registration.)

The Bahamas Pharmacy Council is requesting all importers of prescription and over the counter drugs, to provide to the council, a listing of all products imported during 2012-2013.

The data submitted should include the following. 1. Category of Drug 2. Brand Name 3. Chemical Name 4. Strength 5. Pack Size 6. Manufacturer 5. Country exported from.

The Council requests that this information be supplied electronically, preferably in an excel spreadsheet (sample attached) by August 1st, 2013.

Importers of pharmaceuticals would include any individual, business, wholesaler, retailer or physican who imports a drug (prescription or over the counter) for sale or distibution to the general public.

Your cooperation would greatly assist us in our goals as we work towards the process of product registration in the country, which would ultimately assist in ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of products available in The Bahamas. (Please note that it may be of benefit to importers that the council is aware of what is already in country, prior to the start of registration.)

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Importers of pharmaceuticals are asked to be guided by the following: The Bahamas Pharmacy (Import and Export) Regulations 2010

3. Import and export of drugs

(1) Any person who desires to import or export any drugs for the purposes of the Act shall submit to the Council for approval, the following supporting documentation----

(a) the name of the country and company of the original manufacturer of the drugs;

(b) certification that at the time of the drugs left its country of original manufacturer, such drugs met the requisite requirements in accordance with section 27 of the Act;(see below)

(c) the name of the country and company of repackaging and transshipment;

(d) a list of all the active ingredients contained in the drugs;

(e) the categorization and description of the drugs;

(f) the international generic nomenclature and all the applicable brand names used by the manufacturing company;

(g) the lot, batch number and expiration date of the drugs, and

(h) documentation specifying the proper storage and handling requirements.

(2) Evidence of approval granted under paragraph (1) shall be produced to the customs officer upon import or export of such drugs

27. (1) Every drug – (a) manufactured or offered for sale within The Bahamas; or

(b) imported within or exported from The Bahamas, must meet one of the following prescribed international standards –

(i) the British Pharmacopeia;

(ii) the United States Pharmacopeia;

(iii)the European Pharmacopeia;

(iv) the International Pharmacopeia; or

(v) any other Pharmacopeia as approved by the Minister.

(2) Any person who –

(a) manufactures or offers for sale;

(b) imports within or exports from The Bahamas, any drug that does not meet one of the standards referred to in subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable on conviction on information to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars.

28. The import into or export from The Bahamas of any drugs for the purposes of this Act shall be governed in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Management Act and any regulations made thereunder.

Please further note the requirements for information regarding the product to be supplied - CHAPTER 337C CONSUMER PROTECTION

21 (1) At any time before payment is made for any item of goods of, or above a prescribed value (whether sold as used or unused), a provider shall provide, both orally and in writing, all information in the English Language to the consumer concerning the goods being sold including, where applicable, the origin, price in the currency of The Bahamas, care terms, components, hazards, proper use, assembling, installation, weight and size of the goods and where chargeable, the professional fees of the provider being charged in respect of the goods.