DRAP deploys data integration software for drugs & their manufacturers

Takes a step forward to implement a paperless working environment

ISLAMABAD: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has developed and introduced an automated system of data integration for drugs and their manufacturers.

Addressing a meeting on Tuesday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said Pakistan Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (PIRIMS) is the finest example of the use of modern technology by using information management systems to ensure transparency.

He congratulated DRAP on this landmark achievement and emphasized the need for strict compliance to the essentials of good governance i.e. accountability, transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.

This is the finest example of the use of modern technology by using information management systems to ensure transparency, he said. PIRIMS’ deployment will streamline the requirements, procedures, and assessment by DRAP’s officers to ensure that timelines are followed in a conspicuous manner.

DRAP CEO Asim Rauf said on the occasion that this stakeholder meeting has been arranged to show the people that DRAP is moving towards a transparent environment. To curtail any type of deviation from standard procedures, PIRIMS has been implemented with clear timelines. He further said that this system will not allow any discretion.

Real-time reports of onsite inspections and assessments performed by our officers will become a part of the management system for future references. PIRIMS will help DRAP to attain the status of the World Health Organization (WHO) listed authority which requires clarity and transparency in every function.

The spokesperson of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan told that DRAP has deployed Pakistan Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (PIRIMS) for switching towards a paperless working environment. The automated management system integrates licensing, registration, inspections and pharmacovigilance activities and provides a platform to the pharmaceutical industry for the submission of applications, regulatory correspondence and feedback/complaint mechanism to address problems faced by the applicants. On this software, DRAP’s officers would be able to transparently view, assess and process various matters related to registration of drugs, licensing of pharmaceutical units and inspection activities. The procedures on the software follow strict protocols to ensure timelines of SOPs are met by the officers.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2019.