Amman: Coordinating preventive and awareness efforts is important to promote responsible use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and strengthen mental health awareness among students in schools and universities, Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Director General Rana Obaidat said.
According to Jordan News Agency, Obaidat made the remarks during a visit by a delegation from the Jordan Anti Drugs Society (TJADS) on Tuesday to review the JFDA's procedures for monitoring narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances intended for medical purposes. She emphasized the need to develop tracking systems and electronically connect relevant authorities to improve monitoring of the circulation of narcotic and psychotropic medicines and ensure compliance with legislation governing their use and distribution.
Such measures, she added, would support the national health system and strengthen its ability to respond to developments related to the misuse of these medicines. Society President Musa Al-Tarifi briefed the delegation on the society's mission, programs and initiatives, and commended the JFDA's role in ensuring the safety of food and medicines and protecting public health.
He stressed the society's interest in establishing partnerships with national institutions to strengthen preventive efforts, enhance community cooperation and exchange expertise. Malak Mahayreh, head of the JFDA's Department for the Control of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors, presented the agency's work in monitoring these substances, including its regulatory and legislative responsibilities and awareness programs targeting healthcare professionals and the public.
She also outlined planned initiatives, including a mobile guidance application for the healthcare sector containing legislation and instructions governing the handling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Mahayreh also explained the system for special security-marked prescriptions for narcotic medicines, developed in coordination with the Jordan Medical Association, Jordan Pharmacists Association and the Anti-Narcotics Department. The prescriptions contain visible security features, including holograms and thermal markings, as well as features detectable only under ultraviolet light.
The meeting also discussed areas of mutual interest and ways to coordinate awareness and prevention programs, build community partnerships and exchange expertise in support of shared objectives.