The hassle involved in procuring licenses and permits is a common problem encountered by many companies looking to have their products introduced to the Philippine market. This is a major issue raised by many small and medium businesses in the country which has caught the attention of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

As a solution to this reoccurring problem, DTI suggested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Negosyo Centers to team up to and create a smoother and faster processing of the necessary permits and licenses required.

The joint venture of these nationwide networks of government offices will simplify the requirements and harmonize the time frame for  the different applications nationwide. Furthermore, and as mentioned in our previous post, FDA implemented this month the new application process for companies looking to secure a License to Operate (LTO) through the FDA electronic portal.

Under  the Food Safety Act of 2013, exporters, importers, traders,
manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors of cosmetics, food, and health products must secure a license to operate and certificate of product registration for each product to ensure the safety and quality of the product.

If you aim to understand more about the FDA and its requirements and to grasp the LTO and product registration process, do not hesitate to contact our regulatory affairs department. Our pharma division has an extensive track record in  representing some of the largest food and pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines.