The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) have launched a digital system to monitor regulated dangerous drugs and prevent diversion of chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal substances.
The development and implementation of the Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs) Monitoring System (DDCPEC-MS) was fortified via the signing of a memorandum of agreement between DDB chairman Secretary Catalino Cuy and PDEA director-general Wilkins Villanueva.
The DDCPEC-MS is a web-enabled information program designed to receive, gather, collect and collate all data and information on the importation, exportation, production, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, sale, stocks, seizures, and estimated need for any dangerous drugs and/or CPECs from any agency of the government, private person or enterprise dealing in or engaged in the activities.
“The DDCPEC-MS acts a single-window reporting mechanism where all regulated transactions and activities of dangerous drugs, and CPECs, with legitimate medical and industrial use, including chemical mixtures, preparations, and finished products containing the same, are received from manufacturers, importers, exporters, and distributors,” Villanueva said.
The monitoring system is a reportorial requirement from the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, World Health Organization, and other international organizations.
According to the PDEA chief, the automated submission of reports would help prevent the diversion of legitimate substances for illegal purposes.
“The DDCPEC-MS gives us a huge lift in determining the compliance of pharmaceutical and chemical entities handling dangerous drugs and CPECs in the country,” he said.