WHO certifies Punjab drug testing labs

LAHORE:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pre-qualified two additional drug testing laboratories run by the government, increasing the total number of such scientific research facilities to five in the region.

Chairing a meeting of the Provincial Quality Control Board on Monday, Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir said that this certification has positioned Pakistan at the forefront globally, as it boasts the highest number of WHO pre-qualified drug testing laboratories in any country.

The WHO has certified that these laboratories in Punjab operate in accordance with WHO’s good practices for pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratories guidelines. Emphasising the significance of this certification, the minister expressed that it showcases the confidence the WHO places in these laboratories and is a matter of great honour for the entire nation.

He detailed the locations of the newly pre-qualified laboratories, situated at Birdwood Road Lahore and in Multan, while the drug testing laboratories in Sundar Industrial Estate, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad had already received pre-qualification from the WHO.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2023.