RAWALPINDI, April 27: None of the diagnostic laboratories in the twin cities, both in the private and public sectors, are accredited due to which the authenticity of their tests cannot be guaranteed.

The Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) had conducted a nation-wide survey which revealed that there was not any accredited laboratory anywhere in the country.

CRCP secretary-general Mian Abrar Hafeez termed the situation deplorable.

He said several of these unaccredited laboratories used non- validated methods, chemicals and analytical tools. The measuring instruments and machines at these diagnostic facilities are either not standardized or are faulty. Consequently the resulting information would be undoubtedly unreliable, he added.

This not only deprives the consumer from right to correct information, but also jeopardizes their safety and reflects the insensitiveness of the sections concerned, Mr Hafeez said.

Some laboratories produce varying results for the same samples.

The results and information obtained from these tests are used for diagnosis of various diseases, quality assessment of products and services.

Results of unaccredited laboratories may lead to loss of lives, capital and infrastructure. Most of these losses go unreported and those providing inaccurate and unreliable results are seldom proceeded against.