TFDA holds an international conference titled “APEC Conference on Management and Related Scientific Detection Technology for Adulteration of Dietary Supplements with Drug and Drug Analogs” at National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center on June 28-29 2017. More than 200 people from the industries, governments, and academics were attracted. President Tsai, Ing-Wen sent congratulatory message “Making efforts on human health by reducing the transportation and distribution of illegal drugs, Improving regulation formation, and building international cooperation network.” to TFDA and wished the conference a great success.

Issues of illegal drugs and adulterated dietary supplements are extremely important for human health. The aims of this conference are sharing the knowledge and experiences about regulations, analytical techniques, monitoring systems and mechanisms of illegal drugs and adulterated dietary supplements. On February this year, we proposed to organize and host this conference at the APEC SOM1 SCSC meeting and received widespread support by the APEC national representatives.

To establish a safe medical environment for public, it relies on international cooperation to reduce the distribution of illegal drugs. TFDA invited the experts from the United States, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Korea and Malaysia to share their experiences on the analytical technologies and the management strategies on illegal drugs. Experts from Taiwan, such as Dr. Cheng, Hwei-Fang (Director, Food and Drug Administration), Dr. Shen, Hsin-Pei (Prosecutor, Taipei District Prosecutors Office) and Dr. Liao Wen-I (Officer, Customs Administration), were also invited to share Taiwan’s experience as well. During the conference, Dr. Cheng from TFDA especially delivered thanks to the health authorities, the police station, the courts and the customs for their assistance of inspecting and sampling of high-risk products. She mentioned the illegal drugs grew rapidly in the recent year and were transformed into dietary supplements. For example, sildenafil, sibutramine, amphetamine or new synthetic cathinone drugs were found in dietary supplements and instant coffee or tea bags as well with claim for aphrodisiac, weight loss and stimulant. In addition, illegal nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes were increasing rapidly.

The maintenance of public health and the establishment of a safe medical environment are Government’s responsibility. TFDA expects through this conference to be helpful for preventing illegal usage of medicines and drugs in foods and dietary supplements. Also, this conference can establish a bridge for international cooperation and work hand-in-hand to crackdown on illegal drugs.