The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has obtained regulatory authority membership in the International Pharmaceutical Regulators Programme (IPRP).
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal termed it an important step toward aligning Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector with international standards.
The announcement of DRAP’s membership in the international regulatory authority was made during the 70th meeting of the IPRP Management Committee in Brazil. Officials stated that with this global membership, DRAP will play an active role in international regulatory groups.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said that patients will now have greater confidence that medicines purchased from local pharmacies are safe, compliant, and effective. He added that this development is a “hat trick” of international achievements for Pakistan during the current year.
DRAP Chief Executive Officer Obaidullah said that obtaining IPRP membership is a recognition of DRAP’s regulatory progress. He added that as generic medicines become aligned with international standards, Pakistanis will soon have access to lower cost yet high quality alternatives to expensive branded medicines.
