ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Central Drugs Laboratory in Karachi has been granted prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO), the information ministry said on Wednesday.
The development has been described as a step toward strengthening the country’s pharmaceutical testing system and improving confidence in locally manufactured medicines.
The laboratory operates under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and is responsible for testing medicines and therapeutic goods to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
WHO prequalification is considered an important international benchmark for quality assurance and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical systems.
The certification confirms that testing services at the Karachi facility meet WHO standards for safety, efficacy, and quality, according to the ministry.
The move comes as Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector seeks greater international credibility and expanded export access.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said the recognition would help safeguard public health and strengthen the industry’s global competitiveness.
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry supplies medicines domestically and exports to several countries. Calls for stronger oversight to address substandard and falsified medicines have been made by regulators and health experts.
The recognition is expected to enhance confidence among healthcare providers, patients, and international stakeholders in medicines tested in Pakistan.
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Officials said further reforms would be pursued to align the national regulatory framework with international standards.
