HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, yesterday opened the Department of Pharmaceutical Services building, Ministry of Health in Mukim Gadong.

Upon arrival at the building, the Deputy Sultan was greeted by the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and senior officers.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat read by Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Hamid Bakal.

The Deputy Sultan then consented to officially open the new building, sign a plaque and receive a pesambah.

The Deputy Sultan later viewed an exhibition on the pharmaceutical development and services in protecting public safety and health and later launched the department’s Facebook site.

The Facebook site provides convenience for the public to get information on pharmaceutical services including information on medicines that are safe to consume.

The Deputy Sultan also mingled with officers from the Department of Pharmaceutical Services and toured the facilities and services at the department.

The Deputy Sultan also consented to a group photo with members of the executive committee of the ceremony as well as officers at the department.

Pharmacy is one of the core services under the Department of Medical Services that has continuously advanced and deve-loped in meeting the needs of healthcare in the country.

With its mission “Excellence in Pharmaceutical Care and Services”, the department’s objective is to provide high professional pharmaceutical services and care by ensuring sufficient, safe, effective and quality supply of pharmaceutical products to the people of Brunei Darussalam.

The department also continuously implements quality programmes and initiatives to ensure that the service quality is continuously secured such as “Anugerah Cemerlang Perkhidmatan Awam (ACPA)”, “Kumpulan Kerja Cemerlang (KKC)”, “Tekad Pemedulian Orang Ramai (TPOR)” and “Skim Cadangan”.

The building is part of the National Development Plan and was built at the cost of more than B$6.8 million. The building has three blocks accommodating the various sections under the Department of Pharmaceutical Services.

These sections include Pharmaceutical Registration Section, Drug Quality Control Section including pharmaceutical labs, microbiology, cosmetic, tra-ditional medicines and health supplements as well as standard material reference, Pharmaceutical Drug Production Section, Drug and Poison Information Section, Pharmaceutical Enforcement inclu-ding Regulatory Section.

Other facilities available at the building are a lecture theatre, surau, offices, conference room, meeting and interview rooms, chemical storage as well as parking facilities. - Borneo Bulletin (20 June 2014)