The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) launched the “Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals Monitoring System (DDCPEC-MS), a scheme that will monitor the regulated dangerous drugs and prevent the diversion of chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal substances.
In a statement Thursday, Nov. 18, PDEA said “the web-enabled information program is designed to receive, gather, collect and collate all data and information on the importation, exportation, production, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, sale, stocks, seizures and estimated need for any dangerous drugs and/or CPECs (controlled precursors and essential chemicals) from any agency of the government, private person or enterprise dealing in or engaged in such activities.’’
The monitoring system is a reportorial requirement from the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN-CND), World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations.
The development and implementation of the DDCPEC-MS was fortified through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DDB Chairman Catalino S. Cuy, and PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva on Nov. 16.
“The DDCPEC-MS acts a single-window reporting mechanism where all regulated transactions and activities of dangerous drugs, and CPECs, with legitimate medical and industrial use, including chemical mixtures, preparations and finished products containing the same, are received from manufacturers, importers, exporters and distributors,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva said that the automated submission of reports will help prevent diversion of legitimate substances for illegal purposes.
“The DDCPEC-MS gives us a huge lift in determining the compliance of pharmaceutical and chemical entities handling dangerous drugs and CPECs in the country,” he added.
Through Compliance Service, PDEA exercises regulatory functions that includes the processing and issuance of licenses and permits to pharmaceutical and chemical establishments engaged in the importation, distribution, manufacture, prescription, dispensing and selling, and other lawful acts in connection with any dangerous drugs and CPECs, and other similar or analogous substances. (Chito A. Chavez)