TANZANIA 7. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) Category 1 - WEBSITE www.tfda.or.tz The website is current and updated; it has a visitors’ counter; information can only be accessed in English n = 20 Yes No Partial Additional Information • The website contains updated and current information based on press releases and news of 2013. a) A description of its powers as well as data on the organizational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? • The website shows power, structure, functions and responsibilities of the administration. b) A list of laws, acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers? • The website provides laws and Acts issued within the scope of its power. 1. Does this website contain up to date information? 2. Does the website contain: • c) Reports, policies, programs? d) Budget and expenditure? • e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? • f) Vacancies and employment procedures? • No information about budget and expenditure provided on the website. • g) The name, the address, the telephone number and the working hours of the respective institution? The website contains full contact details including email address for each zone and department, but it does not state the working hours of the institution. • h) The contact details of public officials? i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? The website only contains outdated reports form 2012. No policies or program shown. • Total Score: 10/20 Category 2- Request for Information The following questions were sent to Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority: 1. In reality, is TFDA capable to protect public health particularly in villages? If YES, how? If NOT why? 2. What have been the success stories when it comes to dealing with importation of substandard products? 3. What could you cite as the main challenges with regard to the above question? 4. There is a widespread consumption of unregulated drinks and herbs especially among citizens who are semi-illiterate and poor. How does your organization address such an issue? 5. In most cases, it is the big business people who import substandard drugs, how strong and independent is your agency in dealing with these people? Part 1: Requests for written information n = 20 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) 92 Yes No Additional Information • Public Relations Officer 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) • 3. Did the institution respond to a request for information? • 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? • 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’ and indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) • When several follow up calls were made, the answer was that, “we are working on it”.