National Control Laboratories for Biologicals, DRAP issued Guidelines for Lot Release of Biological Products

The regulation of lot release is an integral regulatory control to ensure the quality and safety of biological products. Its purpose is to verify that each batch/lot of the product meets the stipulated standards of manufacturing and quality control. The National Control Laboratory for Biologicals (NCLB), Islamabad assumes the responsibility of overseeing lot release function through reviewing the manufacturer’s protocol, analytical methods and summary protocol, and also conduct analytical testing if necessary. This is aimed at assuring that every product batch/lot that enters the market adheres to the approved specifications at the time of registration, including any post-registration modifications or variations. The primary objective is to safeguard the public from substandard product batches/lot.

The National Control Laboratories for Biologicals, DRAP has published guideline on the procedural requirement for lot release of biological products. This guidance document was drafted and uploaded in May 2023 seeking comments from stakeholders. It provides an overview of the lot release process how the procedure is established and what products are covered under the lot release system.

DRAP finalized the 2nd Edition of Guidelines on Post-Registration Variation of Drug Products

DRAP has finalized the second edition of its guidelines on procedure and data requirement for post registration variation of drugs. Registration / Marketing Authorization holders are responsible for the safety, efficacy, and quality of drug products that are placed on the market throughout their approved life cycle.

This guidelines are intended to provide information for submission of post-registration variation application by the registrations / marketing authorization holders of drug products. It includes categories of variations and the required documentation & procedures for submission of an application for a particular variation.

These Guidelines will assist both Regulators and Industry on the regulation of variation / changes to the original registrations / Market Authorization of products in terms of procedures and criteria for the appropriate categorization, reporting of changes and subsequent approval as required. Data requirements are listed out to evaluate the impact of the proposed / intended change on the quality, safety and efficacy of the locally manufactured / imported finished pharmaceutical and biological drug products intended for human and veterinary use.

These guidelines are intended to provide supportive information for submission of post registration variation application by the registrations / marketing authorization holders of the finished drug products to implement a change. The draft guidelines were uploaded on the website in July 2023 seeking comments of stakeholders on the contents of document.

The Guidelines have been finalized keeping in view the comments and suggestions of the Stakeholders. Please navigate to the Publications on the DRAP website for latest guidelines by DRAP.

116th Meeting of Enlistment Evaluation Committee (EEC); Notice for Submission of Deficient Information / Documents

The 116th meeting of Enlistment Evaluation Committee (EEC), Division of Health and OTC, DRAP was held on 23rd May, 2023. The detailed of applications which required further information and documentation is attached hereunder for information by all stakeholders.

FIFO Applications List for the Provisional Enlistment of Alternative Medicines and Health Products

The Division of Health & OTC (non-drugs) is responsible for performing the enlistment of manufacturers, importers and their products under the Alternative Medicines and Health Product (Enlistment) Rules 2014.

The Division of Health & OTC, DRAP has published FIFO lists of applications received for the provisional enlistment of various categories of alternative medicines and health products. These lists contain the details of the applicants, the proposed name of the products and date of submission of application.

These lists are intended to provide transparency and accountability to the stakeholders and the public regarding the processing of the applications. It also aims to facilitate the applicants to follow up on their applications.

The list of pending applications can be accessed from the following link:

The National Pharmacovigilance Center, DRAP urge the manufacturers and importers to nominate Pharmacovigilance Officer to ensure safe use of drugs.

Pharmacovigilance is the science and practice of monitoring the safety and efficacy of drugs, both before and after they are marketed. It is a vital aspect of ensuring public health and patient safety, as well as complying with regulatory requirements and ethical standards.

Pharmacovigilance officers are professionals who are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and other potential safety issues. They also conduct risk assessments, implement risk management plans, and communicate with health authorities, health professionals, and patients.

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre at Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan urges the pharma industry to nominate or appoint pharmacovigilance officers for their products, as this will ensure the highest standards of quality and safety for their customers and patients. Pharmacovigilance is not only a legal obligation but also a social responsibility. Focusing on pharmacovigilance can enhance reputation, credibility, and competitiveness of a product in the global market.

According to the Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, notified by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), it is the legal obligation of the pharma industry to nominate or appoint a pharmacovigilance officer for products registered under the DRAP Act, 2012. The pharmacovigilance officer is required to perform the following duties:

  • To collect, record, and report adverse events and other safety data related to the product to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) within the specified time frame.
  • To conduct periodic safety update reports (PSURs) and risk-benefit assessments of the product and submit them to the NPC.
  • To implement risk management plans (RMPs) and risk minimization measures (RMMs) for the product as per the NPC’s recommendations.
  • To ensure compliance with the pharmacovigilance rules and guidelines issued by the NPC and DRAP.
  • To maintain pharmacovigilance records and documentation for at least 10 years.

“The NPC was established by DRAP in July 2022 under the Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, with the aim to enhance the pharmacovigilance activities in the country . The NPC is responsible for collecting, analyzing, monitoring, and preventing adverse effects of therapeutic goods, as well as reviewing and assessing safety data, conducting risk evaluations, and communicating with health authorities, health professionals, and patients. The NPC also provides training, guidance, and support to the provincial or regional pharmacovigilance centres, public health programs, and product registration holders.”

Training on Pakistan Single Window for DRAP Module

Pakistan Single Window-PSW is working on the automation of trade-related business processes of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The existing business processes of issuance of License, Permits, Certificates and Others (LPCOs) by DRAP has been mapped in consultation with DRAP._

In this context, Pakistan Single Window-PSW would like to invite you for a hybrid Training Session for the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan-DRAP Module. In this session our Domain and System Experts will provide you the walkthrough of filling Entity Registration, License Registration (DML), Product Registration and SECP Verification.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday, 25th August 2023 from 03:30 PM till 04:30 PM. Manufacturers/DML holders working in Karachi are requested to join us physically at Main Conference Room, Fifth Floor, Bahria Complex-1, M.T Khan Road, Karachi.

Interested members are requested to register themselves by clicking below:
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_42ArK1qtS1Sf9Xm2bcTi9g

Relevant members of Pharma Industry and associations are encouraged to get themselves register for this session for better understanding of new module. Pease note, only registered members will be allowed to attend this training session.

Relocation of Manufacturing Units from Residential Area to Industrial Area

DRAP issued directions to the manufacturers vide No.F.1-78/2018-DD(H&OTC)(Pt) dated 2nd September, 2019 for those whose manufacturing units were situated in the residential area to relocate their manufacturing sites to the industrial areas to ensure the environmental safety and protection of public health. Following DRAP guidelines, another large manufacturer of alternative medicines has relocated its facility from a residential to an industrial area. Consequently, EEC has cancelled previous enlistment certificates (Form-6 and Form-7) and issued revised enlistment certificate for the new manufacturing site in the residential area.

Draft Format for Submission of Data under the Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules 2021.

The Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules have been notified vide SRO 1472(I)/2021 on the 12th of November 2021 by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. These rules have been promulgated to make the interaction between companies and healthcare professionals transparent, free from corrupt practices and to facilitate medical decisions making in the best interest of the patient.

The aforementioned rules require therapeutic goods companies to submit marketing expenditure details under rule 14(2) and annual compliance certificate under rule 13(h). Subsequent to the notification of these rules, DRAP has drafted an implementation strategy which requires systematic data submission.

The implementation strategy is aimed at harmonized data submissions by stakeholders in a systemic manner, we have drafted followings formats for data submission:-

Comments from therapeutic goods companies, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders are invited on the draft documents within 15 days. These comments along with justification are to be submitted using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission can be accessed on this link). Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to drap.pharmacygmail.com, copying at aqsa.hashmidra.gov.pk , or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Stakeholders Comments are invited on Draft Guidelines for Post-Registration Variation of Drugs

DRAP has rolled out a draft for the second edition of its guidelines on procedure and data requirement for post registration variation of drugs. These Guidelines are intended to assist manufacturers and importers to incorporate variations in their product to account administrative changes, technical and scientific progress, or to improve or introduce additional safeguards. Registration / Marketing Authorization holders are responsible for the safety, efficacy, and quality of drug products that are placed on the market throughout their approved life cycle. These guidelines retain the essentials of the previously published guidelines and have been extended with new terminology of types of variations and documentation required to support a specific change.

This guideline is intended to provide information for submission of post-registration variation application by the registrations / marketing authorization holders of drug products. It includes categories of variations and the required documentation & procedures for submission of an application for a particular variation.

This guidance document is applicable to APIs and excipients manufactured by chemical synthesis or semi-synthetic processes and biological processes and the drug products containing such APIs & excipients.

These draft guidelines on post registration variation were uploaded on the official website of DRAP on 4th July, 2023, seeking comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft rules. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 14 days of uploading this draft using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission is available on this link). Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to  muneeb.cheemadra.gov.pk, copying at zeeshan.nazirdra.gov.pk, or can post at mailing address Director, Pharmaceutical Evaluation & Registration  4th floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.