KARACHI, Nov 12: Federal minister for religious affairs, Dr Mahmood Ghazi, on Monday, inaugurated the 7th international workshop on “Management, Production and Quality Assurance of Drugs” at a local hotel.

Speaking as the chief guest, he appreciated the efforts of the ministry of health and the World Health Organization.

He further elaborated that the practice of producing quality products has religious significance, which he proved by quoting versus from the Holy Quran and Al-Hadith.

While referring to the role of the pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan, he said that the quality of drugs is good and comparable to developing countries. Consequently, drugs produced in Pakistan are being accepted for export by a number of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, US and CSSR, he added.

He hoped that the workshop would result in better understanding of the genuine problems faced by the pharma industry and regulators.

Presently, 318 pharmaceutical companies units are producing a full range of pharmaceutical products inclusive of almost all kinds of dosage forms.

He claimed that quality control of drugs has been institutionalized in Pakistan, in line with established norms.

Maj-Gen Mohammad Aslam, DG Health, thanked the chief guest and participants for attending the workshop.

Dr Farzana Chaudhry, drug controller, read the welcome address.

More than 500 delegates are participating in this workshop, which includes scientists, pharmacists, chemists and management specialists.

The objective of the conference is to bring together a galaxy of experts and managers in the pharmaceutical industry, academic and drug-control agencies. A total of 32 papers will be presented by national and international speakers.—APP/PPI