By Dahli Aspillera
THE Unique Global Product Identification Number (UGP-IN) system has been implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new regulation imposes the use of the UGP-IN, a system similar to the internationally-accepted GS1, on all establishments engaged in the manufacture and trading of health products.
The new regulation will take effect one year after its issuance or in June 2015. Philippine representatives of the GS1 global organization said FDA’s adoption of the new policy indicates government’s strong support for the distribution of high-quality drugs and health products in the country.
Through this ID system, the right medicine is administered to patients. Expired drugs will become a thing of the past. There will be reliable bar code system; fake medical products may easily be identified. The Philippines is aligning its policy on health products with current international efforts on product safety.
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministers meeting issued in October 2013 a statement supporting global data standards that assure food and drug safety.
Under the circular a unique identification code is assigned to each product. A barcode, a Quick Response code (a trademark for a barcode type that has an edge over usual barcodes in terms of quick readability and storage), or any electronic identification mark is given to each product.
Each GTIN is permanently assigned as the identification number of each product associated with a company. The number has no expiration. Each manufacturing batch or lot should have its own GTIN.
A global product identification system strengthens enforcement against counterfeit products, facilitates execution of risk management plans including recalls and bans, and enables global identification of products manufactured in the Philippines by local companies,” said the FDA. For info, please contact Analiza C. Mendoza, 0921-338-3816, 0916-266-6604.
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Organic fertilizer is good for the soil. It improves soil structure, maintains good crop growth, and protects the environment. The demand for organic produce is also increasing due to consumers’ growing apprehension about increased application of chemicals... “cides” for HYVs and GMOs.
Organic farms producing food crops apply organic fertilizer to sustain their production year-round.
From the abundance of raw materials for organic fertilizers--animal manure, plant wastes, market wastes, crop biomass such as rice hull, sugarcane bagasse, coconut shell, husks, and coir--all convertible to organic fertilizers.
Results of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research & Development (PCAARRD)-funded project indicate that an initial investment of P2.17 million can yield an average annual net profit of P619,000.00. Income can be realized on the first year of operation, based on the projected 10-year income statement and cash flow. Full recovery of the initial investment can be realized after 2 years and 7 months.
Moreover, financial indicators from the projected 10-year cash flow statement show that organic fertilizer production is a financially viable business. The estimated internal rate of return (IRR) is 31.64% while the Net Present Value (NPV) is at P966,302.34 at a discount rate of 20%.
NPV in this project is the value of all cash to be received in a 10-year project life, net of expenses, and less initial investment to establish the production plant. A positive NPV indicates acceptability of the investment project. IRR, on the other hand, considers the time value of the money based on the cash flows over the project’s lifetime.
Details of these financial analyses can now be accessed through the recently-published booklet on “Profitability Analysis: Commercial Production of Organic Fertilizer.” The booklet also contains information on how to establish a production plant–the facility requirements; machinery and equipment; recommended raw materials and activator for composting; steps in composting; product registration; and marketing and distribution strategies.
This booklet is an output of the project “Investment Package for the Commercial Production of Organic Fertilizer,” implemented by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), coordinated by PCAARRD and funded through the Presidential Social Fund-Office of the Special Projects/Presidential Management Staff.
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