The legislation governing the control of traditional medicines (e.g. traditional Malay and Indian medicines) and homoeopathic medicines are as follows:

(i) Medicines Act 1975 and its Regulations

(ii) Medicines (Advertisement & Sales) Act

(iii) Sales of Drugs Act and its Regulations

(iv) Poisons Act and its Rules

Please click here for details of legislation.

Currently, traditional medicines (e.g. traditional Malay and Indian medicines) and homoeopathic medicines are not subject to pre-marketing approval and licensing for their import, manufacture and sale in Singapore. The onus of responsibility for the safety and quality of traditional medicines and homoeopathic medicines rests with the dealers (importers, manufacturers, wholesale dealers) and sellers. They must ensure that their products shall:  

1. NOT contain any other substances except those stated on the labels;
2. NOT contain substances listed in the Schedule of the Poisons Act;
3. NOT contain prohibited substances including amygdalin, pangamic acid, danthron, suprofen and rhodamine B;
4. NOT exceed the toxic heavy metals limits as specified in Table 1;
5. NOT stipulate any of the 19 diseases/conditions specified in the Schedule of the Medicines （Advertisement and Sale) Act, namely, blindness, cancer, cataract, drug addiction , deafness, diabetes, epilepsy or fits, hypertension, insanity, kidney diseases, leprosy, menstrual disorders, paralysis, tuberculosis, sexual function, infertility, impotency, frigidity, conception and pregnancy on the labels and packaging materials.

Traditional medicines and homoeopathic medicines are subject to medical advertisement control. Find out more about medical advertisements and sales promotion.

Dealers should contact the Wildlife Regulatory Branch, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority, 5 Maxwell Road #02-03 Tower Block, MND Complex, Singapore 069110, Tel: (65) 6227 0670, Fax: (65) 6325 7646, if the products contain substances listed under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act.

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