Functions of TFDA

Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), is a regulatory body responsible for controlling the quality, safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. It is established under Tanzania Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act No. 1 of 2003, after repealing the Pharmaceutical and Poisons Act No. 9 of 1978 (which established the Pharmacy Board) and Food {Control of Quality} Act No. 10 of 1978 (which established the National Food Control Commission). TFDA, a semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, became operational on 1st July 2003.

The Mission of TFDA is to protect the health of consumers against hazards associated with food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. This mission is achieved by performing the following core activities

Product Evaluation and Registration
In Tanzania drugs, prepackaged food, cosmetics, herbal drugs, medical devices and food supplements are evaluated and registered by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA)  before being approved for distribution and marketing in the country. The objective of the evaluation and registration is to ensure that only safe, quality and efficacious products are approved for use in the country. This section provides information on all aspects of the product evaluation and egistration.

Premises Registration and Licensing
The Directorate of Inspection and Surveillance is responsible with ensuring that all dealings in food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices are done after obtaining relevant licenses and permits. This section of the site gives details on the types of licenses and permits issued by TFDA and how to obtain them.

The Directorate of Inspection and Surveillance is responsible with inspecting manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and clinical trials sites and at port of entry to ensure that standard requirements for food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices are complied to. This section of the site describes the work of the Inspectorate.

Import and Export Control
The TFDA control import and export of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices in order to ensure their safety, quality and effectiveness. This section of the site gives details on the procedures to be followed by importer and exporters.

Post Marketing Product Risk Analysis
TFDA continually monitor safety of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices available on the Tanzania market. This section of the site explains how TFDA conduct Post marketing product risk analysis.

Laboratory Analysis for Quality, Safety and Effectiveness
Laboratory analysis are carried out to ascertain the quality, safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices manufactured or imported into Tanzania. This section elaborates how TFDA carries out this activity.

Product Promotion Control
Promotion of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices in the country are regulated by TFDA. This section describe how is the promotion in Tanzania regulated and the procedures to get approval for promotion materials/activities.

Public Education
Public Education section is responsible with marketing TFDA and its activities through educating and informing stakeholders on all issues related to institution’s functions such as control of the quality, safety and rational use of drugs, food, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. This section give details on what is Public education all about.