ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has directed federal and provincial health authorities to inspect markets, importers and wholesale distributors dealing in diagnostic reagents.

The direction was given after receiving a letter from Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA) which asked Drap to ensure quality reagents in labs and take action against illegal practices in diagnostic reagents and strengthen the enforcement of relevant laws to safeguard interest of patients.

The letter, written to all authorities, directed the field force to conduct thorough inspections of markets, impo­rt­ers, and wholesale distributors dealing in diagnostic reagents within their respective area of jurisdiction.

The purpose of these inspections is to verify compliance with regulatory requirements and take necessary enforcement actions against any violations. A detailed report on the findings and actions taken may kindly be submitted to this division, the letter signed by Deputy Director Quality Assurance Hafiz Sanaullah Babar stated.

In a letter written to Drap, PPA Vice President Shifa Khan Bangash had stated that medical devices were one of the key health technologies playing a pivotal role in the healthcare system and these were the mainstay of the diagnostic facilities leading physicians to accurate diagnosis and ensuring optimum patient outcome.

The diagnostic reagents and diagnostic kits are crucial medical devices in this context and the quality of which directly correlates with the accuracy of diagnosis and can help or otherwise mislead the physician in taking appropriate decision regarding treatment of patient. Erroneous diagnostic tests mislead physician/surgeon about the treatment which may even result in death, Mr Bangash had said.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2025