Pharmacists to undergo training every 2 years

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has tabled changes to be made to the Pharmacists Registration Act.

Under the proposed changes, pharmacists will have to take up undergo 50 hours of training every 2 years — continuing professional education (CPE) — in order to renew their practicing certificates.

Other changes are also being introduced to add more “rigour” to the industry.

The public has till 6 July 2007 to give feedback on the draft bill at http:/www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/econsultation.aspx.

Sources:

• “Pharmacists Registration Act to reflect developments in the field“, Channel NewsAsia, 10 June 2007
• “Renew cert? 1,500 pharmacists may head for classes soon”, The Straits Times, 11 June, 2007

Singapore’s Spam Laws take effect

The Spam Control Act comes into force 15 Jun 2007.

Under the new law, violators may face up to $1 million in fines if they fail to tag “ADV” label to promotional/marketing email messages; and if users have no means to unsubscribe from the list.

The penalty for violations is a fine of S$25 for each electronic message, up to S$1 million.

The law only applies to local businesses/organisations. It does not apply to spam coming from overseas sources.

Sources:

• “Spam Control Act 2007 to come into effect on June 15”, The Business Times, 9 June 2007
• “Spam Control Act takes effect next Friday”, The Straits Times, June 9, 2007

SMEs among Top 50 fastest-growing companies

13 companies make it to the top 50 list

Singapore’s economic growth has fuelled the engine of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore.

13 SMEs made it to the list of the Top 50 fastest growing companies compared with just four last year, according to an annual list compiled by DP Information Group

8 out of 10 on the list had operations overseas.

Sources:

• “More SMEs make this year’s Fastest Growing 50 companies list“, Channel News Asia, 7 June 2007
• “Economy’s growth propel SMEs onto FG50 fast track”, Business Times, 8 Jun 2007

Strong demand for State properties

Record bids for rental of commercial properties

Rising office rentals in the central business districts have sparked strong bids for state properties put up for lease.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) received bids ranging from 10% – 70% above rental guides for some of the nine buildings since February.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said last month it plans to build temporary offices available for short leases as a stop-gap measure against rising office rents.

Prime occupancy costs in Raffles Place have risen by 28% in the first quarter this year to $10.90 per ft (psf) on average.

Sources:

• “Strong interest in rental of state properties”, The Business Times, 8 Jun 2007
• “Demand for state properties rises on tight office supply”, The Straits Times, 8 June 2007

Mobile service providers face fines of up to S$1 million

New code of practice for mobile service providers

The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has proposed a new code of practice to stop mobile service operators from collecting fees from consumers for unwanted services.

The new rules are targeted at service providers offering news, chatline, ringtone and other mobile phone services. Those who flout the rules may face fines of up to $1 million.

The new guidelines were released last month after the regulatory agency received numerous complaints about disputed charges and difficulty getting hold of service providers to settle the disputes. IDA had previously suspended the licence of an operator, mTouche for six months. It was also fined $150,000 for the violation.

Source: “Chatline operators face tougher rules”, The Straits Times, 8 June, 2007

SME to give feedback on accounting rules

Proposed changes to accounting standards

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been asked to give their feedback for a new financial reporting standard by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The Board is considering a simpler accounting standard for SMEs which will cut the accounting load for small businesses by more than 85%, said industry sources. However, it could also make it more difficult when the firms decide to list on the stock market.

Local businesses have till 1 September to give their feedback.

Source: “SMEs urged to give feedback on financial reporting standard“, Channel News Asia, 7 June 2007

Eggs and Poultry from Selangor Suspended

Imports from other Malaysian states not affected by move

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore has suspended imports of poultry and egg from the Malaysian state of Selangor. Selangor accounts for about 6% poultry and 1% of the egg imports to Singapore from Malaysia.

The move came after the agency was informed of a H5N1 bird flu outbreak affecting chickens in a village in Sungei Buluh, Selangor. Poultry imports from the disease-free zones of Malaysia is not affected by the suspension.

Source: “AVA suspends poultry and egg imports from Selangor”, Channel News Asia, 6 June 2007

Warm Weather turns Waste Water into Biogas

Public Utilities Board (PUB)  carries out successful experiment

Singapore’s warm weather speeds up the anaerobic waste-water treatment i.e. water treatment without oxygen. Waste water ferments faster and produces a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide (biogas).

Biogas produces power.

The Public Utilities Board (PUB) has been carry out laboratory tests and the results have been promising. PUB hopes to power 25% of its water treatment plant using this method.

The next step is pilot testing and a large-scale test plant. Roll out is still years away.

Source: “Singapore’s warm weather helps in treatment of waste-water“, Channel NewsAsia, 5 Jun 2007

NETS fee hike likely to affect consumers

NETS imposing higher levy on retailers.

NETS now charges businesses 0.35% – 0.55% of each transaction.

Starting July, NETS intends to increase this to 1.5% and 1.8%. Merchants may stop offering NETS or pass on higher transaction fees to customers as part of the total price as NETS does not allow retailers to charge customers for using NETS.

Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is taking up issue with NETS and has filed a complaint to the Competition Commission of Singapore concerning.

Source: “Consumers can expect to pay more with higher NETS levy“, Channel NewsAsia, 5 Jun 2007

Compulsory training for opticians

New laws proposed require opticians to take courses and work under supervision

A new bill has been proposed to tighten qualifications for opticians.

Unlike optometrists who need a diploma and a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) licence to prescribe contact lenses, there is currently no training requirement for opticians in Singapore.

Anyone can set up shop and sell spectacles.

The new law will require opticians to pass a course and undergo supervised training for two years.

The Optometrists and Opticians Bill will go through a second reading in parliament next month.

Source: “Move to plug regulatory gap in eyecare sector”, The Straits Times, 7 June 2007