THE Ministry of Health is warning the public that the importation of items such as food and cosmetics which make therapeutic claims, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, products regarded as dietary supplements and energy drinks require the approval of a permit application.

The ministry said to do otherwise would be a breach of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations.

The permit approval process requires that the importer obtains the applicable permit application form from the Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs Department at the ministry, completes the form and then submits it for assessment and processing before importing the item, the ministry said in a news release.

It is important to note that approval to import following assessment is subject to the suitability of the item for use in Jamaica.

The ministry said chemicals also require permission for importation from the ministry. Under the Precursor Chemicals Act and Dangerous Drugs Act, no precursor chemical, dangerous drug or controlled substance can be imported without the requisite permit application being approved.

We are asking the public to take note of the process required for the importation of these items. It is important that we abide by the laws and regulations, and ensure that we are doing things the right way, said Princess Thomas Osbourne, director of the Standards and Regulation Division in the ministry.

She said the ministry must register any drug that is being imported for the first time into the island.