The Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) Karachi, part of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), has achieved prequalification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This accreditation allows the laboratory to conduct medicine testing in accordance with globally recognised standards, as officials announced on Tuesday.
This advancement suggests that medicines evaluated at CDL Karachi will now comply with WHO standards for quality, safety, and efficiency.
Officials also state that this will increase trust in domestically produced pharmaceuticals and influence regulatory oversight throughout the nation.
Dr. Obaidullah, the Chief Executive Officer of DRAP, called this accomplishment a pivotal milestone for Pakistan’s regulatory system, indicating that it demonstrates the country’s increasing capability to ensure that public medicines follow international standards.
DRAP to now perform internationally recognised drug testing
He referred to the prequalification as an important step towards strengthening regulatory processes and aligning Pakistan’s pharmaceutical testing framework with global best practices.
The CEO of DRAP noted that the WHO prequalification is the result of a thorough assessment of laboratory systems, technical capabilities, and following international standards, including ISO-certified testing protocols.
CDL Karachi is equipped to evaluate a diverse array of pharmaceutical products, including conventional medicines, biologicals, and other therapeutic items.
With this acknowledgment, Pakistan joins a select group of nations whose national laboratories are authorised to perform internationally recognised testing of medicines, which may decrease dependence on foreign laboratories and speed up regulatory decisions.
Read more: DRAP crack down on illegal online medicine sales, urges PTA to block websites
