Philippine President Arroyo on Tuesday signed into law the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009, which complements the Cheaper Medicines Law and creates the 'missing link' in the provision of quality medicine and health products in the country. Republic Act 9711 renames the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to FDA and strengthens its regulatory powers, resources and capabilities to efficiently and expeditiously perform its mandate. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in an interview after the signing ceremony that the FDA Act complements RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. 'The health sector has been wishing for a stronger FDA. The dream comes true. This has been the missing link in so far as the delivery and provision of quality medicines and health products is concerned,' Duque said. He said that the new law vest the FDA with powers that the BFAD lacks, among them, the power to order the ban, recall and withdrawal of health products that can or has the potential to cause death, serious illness or injury to people. The FDA can also ban, recall and withdraw products that make deceptive claims. He added that under RA 9711, FDA can seize without hearing or court order health products found to be in violation of the laws or rules and regulations pending further proceedings. He said the FDA is authorized to retain its income, which it can use 'for the procurement of equipment, for enhancing laboratory and testing capabilities and for expanding human manpower requirements of a new food and drug administration.' He added that the FDA can set up additional laboratory testing centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which will cut the processing time of the registration of products as its clients need not go to the central office laboratory. Duque said that with more funds at its disposal, the FDA can acquire new equipment and technology 'with the objective of making more efficient the processes so the stakeholders, the clients will not be bear the burden of endless waiting time.' He said that the current processing time for product registration is six to nine months; with the new law, this is expected to be cut to 'three months or even less.' Duque said that RA 9711 creates separate centers for food, drug, cosmetics and devices which will be regulated by the FDA in terms of importation, exports, manufacturing, distribution, advertising, marketing, and all other processes related to production. 