The COFB has recently published the Labelling Guide for Parapharmacy Products, a summary of the legislation governing the labelling of parapharmacy products, designed for use by pharmacies.
Labelling Guide for Parapharmacy Products – The parapharmacy sector – which includes cosmetics, food, healthcare products and food supplements – has been expanding significantly for decades. And this growth is obviously having an impact both on the number of manufacturers and on the vast variety of product types and ranges available in any chemist’s.
Nowadays, as well as having a good education – so that they can advise customers effectively – pharmacists must be able to ensure that the products they dispense comply with current regulations. To do this, they need to be familiar with the legal requirements regarding the labelling of this wide range of products.
COFB Guide to the Labelling of Parapharmacy Products
In order to make it easier to understand the labelling of parapharmacy products, the Barcelona College of Pharmacists (COFB) published the Guide to the Labelling of Parapharmacy Products in September.
This guide provides a very brief summary of the requirements for:
The Labelling of Food Products
- Food
- Food for specific population groups
- Foods Intended for Special Medical Purposes (ADUME)
Food supplements- Nutritional and Health Claims on Food Products
The Labelling of Cosmetic Products
- Specific Information on Sun Protection Products
Specific information on personal care products
- Hygiene and Beauty Products (transdermal patches).
- Dental hygiene products (teeth whitening products, fluoride toothpastes, toothpastes containing chlorhexidine digluconate)
- Lice treatments
Labelling of Medical Devices
Labelling of Traditional Plant-based Medicines (MTP)
Labelling of plant-based spices for herbal teas, for use in food.
The Guide: a useful tool for the pharmacy
Whilst it does not address every aspect of the regulation of parapharmacy products, this new guide undoubtedly offers, an interesting resource for pharmacy professionals. There is one thing on which the entire sector is likely to agree: in order to provide sound advice, it is essential that pharmacists are able to explain the basics and interpret the labelling of the products dispensed in the pharmacy.
To gain an in-depth understanding of the labelling regulations for parapharmacy products, one must wade through a dozen Royal Decrees and European Regulations. It is worth remembering that the parapharmacy sector encompasses products as diverse as cosmetics and medical devices. Each of these has its own set of regulations, with specific rules applying to certain product categories.
That is, in fact, The value of the guide: its ability to summarise, in just 16 pages, the key points to bear in mind regarding each type of parapharmacy product. Here at Gabinete Técnico Farmacéutico M. Camps, we recommend keeping a copy to hand in your pharmacy. And refer to it whenever you want to find out more about the labelling of your pharmacy products.
Would you like more information about the COFB’s Labelling Guide for Parapharmacy Products? Do have a look at them!