JFDA chief highlights advanced drug regulatory standards, WHO compliance

AMMAN — Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Director General Nizar Mheidat stressed on Sunday that the administration is going on with achieving an advanced level in drug regulation and final approval as an internationally recognised regulatory body. 

Mheidat added that these procedures are being pursued through the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regulatory systems strengthening (RSS) and accreditation of national regulatory authorities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

While hosting a WHO expert mission for a follow-up visit within the framework of the programme in the presence of WHO representative in Jordan Jamila Raiby Mheidat highlighted the importance of the visit in monitoring the progress made in implementing the recommendations based on the organisation’s previous visits. 

The director general added that these measures are in line with the institution’s strategy to apply the highest international standards in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, and its commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical industry sector and enhancing its competitiveness in line with the outcomes of the Economic Modernisation Vision.

Mheidat also praised the JFDA’s continuous development efforts and implementation of WHO recommendations, working together to improve the overall performance of the system, which will positively reflect on the regulatory and supervisory role of the administration.

During the visit, JFDA Assistant Director General for Administrative Affairs Maha Jaghbir reviewed the national drug system and the progress made since October 2022 in the regulatory and supervisory functions performed by the administration. 

Jaghbir noted that these functions are fundamental in determining the maturity level of the regulatory authority and include the processes of drug registration and approval, monitoring side effects, regulatory inspections, laboratory analysis and clinical studies, along with the latest developments and updates related to these fields.