Licence approvals stop during SEA Games

Some food and medicines could be in short supply this month as importers face delays getting their licences renewed, a businessman has warned, after the Food and Drug Administration has announced that the grant of import and licences will be suspended from December 2-22.

During that period, the staff who usually process the licences will be working full-time on ensuring food safety for athletes at the Southeast Asian Games in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon, said FDA deputy director Dr Zaw Lwin. “[We] cannot carry out laboratory tests, but some processes will be kept going,” he said.

U Myo Zaw Lwin, business manager of Amethyst Company, said the suspension could cause some food and pharmacy prices to rise. “If a company’s licence expires during this month they will have to wait 20 days to get it renewed. High-demand pharmaceuticals could be in short supply during that time,” he said.

The expansion of the FDA is branch offices in August has left the agency short of staff. “We need 665 staff, but have only 165 staff,” Dr Zaw Lwin said. “We need more people for our branch offices.”

source: The Myanmar Times

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/9001-licence-approvals-stop-during-sea-games.html