THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it issued a department circular on Wednesday outlining procedural matters regarding the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) assumption of licensing authority over veterinary drugs, a power formerly held by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as reported by BusinessWorld.
The circular included transitory guidelines for the issuance of licenses to operate and certificates of product registration, ensuring a smooth transition of regulatory functions from the FDA to the BAI. This move aims to streamline the approval process for veterinary medicines and strengthen animal health oversight in the country.
Industry stakeholders have been awaiting the formal transfer of authority, which is expected to reduce regulatory duplication and improve the availability of safe and effective veterinary drugs. The DA emphasized that the BAI will align its procedures with existing animal health standards.