20-05-2025
Kuwait joins International Council for Harmonization as observer member
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health announced that Kuwait has officially joined the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) as an observer member, marking a significant step towards enhancing the country's pharmaceutical regulatory system. In a press statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the move aligns with Kuwait's strategic efforts to strengthen the efficiency of its drug regulation framework in accordance with the highest international standards and best practices.
Dr Dina Al-Bastaki, Acting Director of the Drug Registration and Control Department at the Drug Control Sector, represented Kuwait at the ICH General Assembly. During the meeting, she delivered a speech outlining the key features of Kuwait's pharmaceutical regulatory system, highlighting ongoing efforts to modernize the national legislative and oversight framework.
Al-Bastaki emphasized that joining the ICH as an observer allows Kuwait to benefit directly from internationally endorsed technical guidelines related to the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines. It also provides an opportunity to participate in technical working groups tasked with developing regulatory guidelines. She noted that this step enhances the integration of Kuwait's national pharmaceutical policies with global regulatory systems and paves the way for broader cooperation with prominent international bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA).
Moreover, Al-Bastaki said the membership serves as a catalyst for developing a supportive regulatory environment for Kuwait's local pharmaceutical industry. It will help the sector keep pace with global standards, improve readiness to access international markets, and accelerate the availability of safe and effective medicines in the local market through the adoption of advanced scientific evaluation methods. This achievement, she added, reflects Kuwait's commitment to the goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision, particularly in advancing the quality of healthcare and pharmaceutical services, and affirming the country's role in the global health and regulatory landscape.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to adopting international best practices in the regulation and assessment of pharmaceutical products. It also underscored its ongoing efforts to update national health policies in line with global scientific and technical developments, in support of a comprehensive, sustainable healthcare system that upholds human dignity and enhances quality of life.
Headquartered in Geneva, the ICH is a global initiative that brings together regulatory authorities and industry experts from Europe, Japan, and the United States to discuss scientific and technical aspects related to pharmaceutical product registration. - KUNA
