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WQ.46/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
BY DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER NORTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2025
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2025
Question
"In relation to medicines manufactured in Jersey, including vitamins and medicinal cannabis products, will the Minister –
- list the products produced;
- provide a list of manufacturers;
- advise whether distribution of these products is permitted in the Island and/or outside of Jersey; and
- detail the regulatory framework(s) that apply?"
Answer
In relation to Vitamins:
The Minister for the Environment oversees the regulation of food businesses, which includes those that sell, manufacture and process vitamins. Vitamins are considered food' under the Food Safety (Jersey) Law 1966.
Vitamin businesses (food businesses) are registered with the Environment Minister under Food (Registration of Premises) (Jersey) Order 2001
List the products produced: Specific data on this is not collated and recorded. Products will range from food supplements to vitamins and minerals.
Provide a list of manufacturers: Currently all vitamin manufacturers are registered as Retailers.' They cannot be specifically segregated from over 1,250 other registrations on the database.
Advise whether distribution of these products is permitted in the Island and/or outside of Jersey: All Jersey registered vitamin businesses are permitted to sell within and outside of Jersey. Any specific third Country requirements would be the responsibility of the exporter.
Regulatory Framework: As set out above, vitamin businesses (food businesses) are registered with the department under Food (Registration of Premises) (Jersey) Order 2001 and are required to comply with the Food Safety (Jersey) Law 1966 which includes the following subordinate legislation;
- (Food Hygiene (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 1967),
- Food Safety (Labelling) (Jersey) Order 2005,
- Community Provisions (Food Supplements) (Jersey) Regulations 2014
- Community Provisions (Nutrition and Health Claims on Foods) (Jersey) Regulations 2014.
The Minister for Health and Social Services is the regulatory authority in relation to the manufacture of medicines and medicinal cannabis products in Jersey. This function is discharged by the Chief Pharmacist.
In relation to Medicines:
List the products produced:
There are currently no medicines manufactured in Jersey and as such no manufacturing licences for finished medicinal products have been issued in Jersey.
The exception to this is the issuance of a licence to Jersey Blood Service for the manufacture of blood products – specifically the collection of whole blood and processing into red cells.
Provide a list of manufacturers:
As above. Only the Jersey Blood Service for the manufacture of blood products.
Advise whether distribution of these products is permitted in the Island and/or outside of Jersey: There are legal mechanisms available which would permit the distribution of medicines in the Island and outside of Jersey. Wholesale distribution of medicinal products by an operator in Jersey requires a Jersey Wholesale Dealers Licence which is issued in accordance with the provisions of the Medicines (Jersey) Law. The Medicines (Jersey) Law does provide some exemptions to this – for example, by a registered pharmacy, under the supervision of a pharmacist where the amounts distributed by way of wholesale are an inconsiderable part of the business.
Regulatory Framework:
The provisions of the Medicines (Jersey) Law 1995 and subordinate orders apply. The provisions of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 and subordinate orders apply – when the medicinal product is controlled under this legislation.
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is the standard for the production of medicines and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is the standard for the distribution of medicines.
Jersey, as with the EU and the UK, operate to EU GMP standards and EU GDP standards. This is for all medicines.
Medicines placed on the market in Jersey are subject to regulation by the Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA is the UK medicines regulator.
For companies in Jersey wishing to set up as a pharmaceutical manufacturer or wholesaler, there is an MoU in place with the UK medicines regulator, the MHRA. The MHRA will provide technical support through inspection against EU GMP and EU GDP standards. This would form the basis of any licences issued in Jersey under the Medicines and /or Misuse of Drugs Law.
In relation to cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPM):
Anyone wanting to manufacture a finished cannabis-based product for medicinal use (CBPM) in Jersey would require a manufacturing licence issued under the provisions of the Medicines (Jersey) Law.
CBPMs are additionally controlled as Schedule 2 substances under the Misuse of Drugs (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2009. The definition of CBPMs requires that they are manufactured in accordance with EU GMP.
Similarly, any CBPM prescribed and dispensed in Jersey must have been produced in accordance with EU GMP.