DAR ES SALAAM, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's drugs watchdog on Tuesday urged local pharmaceutical manufacturers in the east African nation to produce drugs according to standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Agnes Kijo, the Acting Director General of the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), said the UN health organization has issued drugs production guidelines aimed at enabling manufacturers to produce drugs in accordance to the WHO standards and safety.

Opening a five-day training workshop for 30 pharmaceutical manufacturers and regulators in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Kijo said: "Standards and safety are two most important requirements in the production of any kind of goods."

She told the workshop organized by TFDA in collaboration with the WHO that medical inspectors should cultivate the habit of visiting pharmaceutical factories for inspection.

Kijo thanked the WHO for sponsoring the training which she said has come at the right time when Tanzania was gearing for massive production of pharmaceuticals.

For his part, Rafaat Mohamed, WHO's Consultant for Regulatory Systems Strengthening, said effective regulatory systems were an essential component of health system strengthening that contributed to better public health outcomes.

He called for the need to continue developing appropriate norms, standards and guidelines, including taking into account national, regional and international needs and initiatives, in accordance with WHO principles.