Regulatory Framework for Narcotic Drugs: Workshop at Amman Arab University’s Faculty of Pharmacy to Enhance Drug Safety
Driven by Amman Arab University’s commitment to advancing its students' scientific research skills, the Faculty of Pharmacy organized a practical workshop titled "Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance for Narcotic Drugs." This initiative aligns with the faculty’s ongoing efforts to strengthen students' practical competencies and foster scientific dialogue with specialists and experts in this critical field.
The workshop was attended by, Professor Dr. Rana Abu Huwaij, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Amman Arab University, Dr. Hayam Wahbeh Ibrahim, a pharmaceutical consultant and narcotics expert, formerly Head of the Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, and Chemical Precursors Division at the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Dr. Reem Abdullah, a regulatory affairs specialist.
In her remarks, Dr. Abu Huwaij emphasized the workshop’s importance in addressing key contemporary issues in drug safety and public health. She highlighted its role in enhancing students' ability to tackle modern challenges related to pharmacovigilance and drug regulation, particularly concerning high-risk narcotic medications.
Dr. Abu Huwaij explained that narcotic drugs present a dual challenge for healthcare systems. While they are essential for treating severe pain and critical medical conditions, their misuse or illegal trafficking poses significant risks to public health, safety, and security. She stressed the vital role of regulatory strategies in balancing patient access for those in dire need with preventing abuse. These strategies include: Strict policies on manufacturing, registration, and licensing, Controlled distribution and tracking systems, Robust public awareness campaigns, Strong legislation and interagency cooperation (health, security, and legal sectors).
The workshop covered: Best practices for handling narcotic and psychotropic drugs, Regulatory frameworks governing these substances, Strategies to ensure safe and rational use.
Dr. Reem Abdullah, the regulatory affairs expert, presented key local and international regulatory challenges and legislation related to narcotics. She also discussed registration, licensing, and monitoring mechanisms, providing real-world examples from the local market as benchmarks for best practices.
The event saw active participation from faculty members, students in the Master’s program in Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs, and distinguished alumni. A lively discussion reflected the attendees' high level of awareness and engagement with this crucial topic.
the speakers were honored for their valuable contributions and their role in sharing expertise with students, in an atmosphere of academic appreciation and respect.
