The 2005 Symposium of APEC Network on Pharmaceutical Regulatory Science opened yesterday at the Taipei International Convention Center.
Over 400 pharmaceutical-affairs officials from APEC member states are attending the two-day conference whose discussions will center on establishing an APEC network pharmaceutical regulatory science for solving common problems and for a better mutual understanding of new regulatory issues.
Addressing the opening, Vice Premier Wu Rong-i (吳榮義) said that the government has injected around US$276 million in direct or indirect investment in 27 biotech companies. This year, another US$250 million is being invested in the construction of a state-of-the-art biotech industrial park and a medical center, he said.
Liao Chi-chou (廖繼洲), director-general of pharmaceutical affairs at the Department of Health, said that the symposium is aimed at pushing for regulatory harmonization within APEC, promoting exchanges in testing and examination-related regulations, and sharing information and review experiences.
The department plans to hold negotiations with other countries on pharmaceutical licensing as part of its efforts to make inroads into international markets, Liao said.
Noting that Japan and Taiwan conducted initial talks on the issue Oct. 28, Liao said Taiwanese pharmaceutical products are expected to begin to be shipped to Japan market once talks are completed.
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