Stakeholders Comments are invited on the Draft Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Although the Drugs (Licensing, Registering & Advertising) Rules, 1976 under the Drugs Act, 1976 provides detail requirements on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), however, DRAP intends to provide a compiled GMP guidance document stipulating Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (DRAP) expectations on GMP from pharmaceutical & biological drugs manufacturers.

This document is intended to provide guidance regarding Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical & biological drug in accordance with the Drugs (Licensing, Registering & Advertising) Rules, 1976, under the Drugs Act, 1976, the good manufacturing practices aim at ensuring that:

  1. Products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use
  2. Products are manufactured as required by the marketing authorization or product specification; and
  3. All those risks have been diminished that are inherent in any pharmaceutical / biological production operation, including contamination, cross contamination and mix ups (confusion) that cannot be detected completely through the testing of final products.

This draft guideline is uploaded on the official website of DRAP dated 5th January, 2023 seeking comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft document. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days of uploading this document using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission can be accessed on this link). Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to ajmal.sohail∂dra.gov.pk, copying at hasan.afzaal∂dra.gov.pk , or can be posted at mailing address, Additional Director, Quality Assurance & Lab Testing, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

Public Awareness: Availability of Drugs

DRAP works closely with the manufacturing companies to ensure the availability of essential drugs in the market. However, shortages of drugs is a global phenomena and it may occur due to various reasons including the discontinuation of certain products, supply interruptions of materials and manufacturing or quality concerns, etc. DRAP is continuously working to minimize the impact of shortages on general public.

For problem related to the drugs availability, DRAP can be reach out at its Toll- Free Number: 0800-03727, or through email at drugshortages∂dra.gov.pk within working hours from Monday to Friday 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM.

DRAP Newsletter: Volume 02-Quarter 01, 2023

The second volume of quarterly Newsletter of DRAP was issued on 1st January, 2023. This issue highlights the key initiatives and accomplishments of the outgoing year-2022, and welcomes the new year-2023 with reaffirmation to its commitments. DRAP is implementing its Strategic Plan 2022-25 with full zeal and devotion, to protect the public health through effective regulation for availability of safe, quality assured and efficacious therapeutic goods for the people of Pakistan.