The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), responsible for monitoring the quality of medicines in the country, is not recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and resultantly Pakistani companies are unable to export to developed countries, reported Dawn news.A major hurdle in the recognition of the Drap is that the Federal Drug Surveillance Laboratory (FDSL), a credible drug testing laboratory which is mandatory for recognition, could not be made functional. While the building for the laboratory was constructed and the required equipment was purchased, a medical college was established in the building.National Health Services (NHS) Minister Saira Afzal Tarar claimed that she has been making efforts to take possession of the laboratory building, located in Chak Shahzad and following the establishment of the laboratory, the Drap will be recognised by the WHO.The Drap was established under the Drap Act 2012 for effective coordination and enforcement of the Drugs Act 1976. The authority is responsible for ensuring the quality of drugs all over the country; moreover it is mandated to ensure the availability of medicines at affordable rates. In a disappointing illustration of how some necessary projects suffer from the paucity of financial resources — and official attention — the same building was converted into the Federal Medical and Dental College. It has fallen on the shoulders of the national health services minister to try and get it vacated for the original purpose of having a laboratory there. The minister is confident that Drap will win the much-desired approval of WHO within months of setting up the laboratory. Local drug firms and the people here at large would be hoping that this is how it turns out. Such recognition would encourage earnest Pakistani manufacturers to explore rich markets in the developed world. At the same time, it would add the required vibrancy to drug research and manufacturing in the country. Unfortunately, people here are often exposed to substandard drugs or find themselves dependent on expensive drug options offered to them by foreign firms working under more efficient surveillance.
pk.shafaqna.com
