Strengthening Monitoring Systems to Prevent Abuse of Prescription Drugs
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Choo Pei Ling’s inquiry into how the government will strengthen monitoring systems, expand rehabilitation services for prescription drug addicts, and enhance inter-ministry coordination and public education. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam explained that the Health Sciences Authority and Ministry of Health regulate health products through mandatory approvals and regular audits of licensed distributors. Multi-agency enforcement involving the Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau, and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority targets the illegal import and manufacture of unregistered health products and illicit cough syrup. These agencies share information and refer detected cases to the Health Sciences Authority to disrupt illegal supply chains at checkpoints, while publicizing operations to bolster deterrence. Finally, the Minister noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs focuses on supporting abusers of controlled drugs and is not involved in rehabilitation services for prescription drug addicts.
Transcript
77 Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs how will the Ministry work with the Ministry of Health to (i) strengthen the monitoring systems to prevent abuse of prescription drugs (ii) expand prescription drug addicts' rehabilitation and support services and (iii) enhance inter-Ministry coordination, including public education efforts, to address any emerging trends in prescription drug abuse.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) oversee registered health products, which include prescription drugs. All prescription medicines require approval by HSA before they can be legally supplied in Singapore and companies licensed to import or distribute prescription medicines are regularly audited.
There are multi-agency enforcement operations to curb the illegal import, manufacture and/or supply of unregistered health products in Singapore, including prescription drugs and illicitly manufactured cough syrup. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau and Singapore Police Force (SPF) share information and work closely with HSA to strengthen investigation and enforcement against such activities through multi-agency joint operations. For example, SPF refers to HSA any cases of unregistered health products that are detected during Police operations and subsequent investigations. ICA also works closely with HSA to detect and disrupt illegal imports of health products at the Checkpoints. Such operations are publicised, where appropriate, to enhance public education and deterrence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is not involved in the provision of rehabilitation and support services for prescription drug addicts. Our efforts are focused on supporting abusers of controlled drugs.