ISLAMABAD: A delegation from the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has offered to the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) to improve and make the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) a self-sufficient body.

Headed by Emily M. Kaine, the delegation met Federal Minister for NHS Aamer Mehmood Kiani on Tuesday. The minister was informed about the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s global benchmarking tool and development of institutional plans.

In a statement, the ministry said quality management system was one of the major institutional development plans.

The development of Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (IRIMS) software is a major joint venture between Drap and the USP. After the completion of this system, Pakistan will be among a few countries in Asia to implement it.

Through IRIMS registration, licensing and dossiers screening functions will be improved for transparency of the decision-making process regarding the product marketing authorisation.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2018