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Invitation for Comments

Public Consultation: Guidance Document for Submission of Application on Form-5F (CTD) for Registration of Biological Products for Human Use – 2nd Edition.

Yasir Mahmood Invitation for Comments , ,

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Division of Biological Evaluation & Research, invites public comments on the draft “Guidance Document for Submission of Application on Form-5F (CTD) for Registration of Biological Products for Human Use – 2nd Edition.”

This updated guidance aims to enhance clarity, align regulatory requirements with international standards, and introduce specific provisions for biosimilars, bulk/ready-to-fill biologicals, pharmacovigilance, stability, and comparability requirements. The document is intended to facilitate consistent, transparent, and efficient submission and review of registration applications for biological products.

Stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, healthcare professionals, academia, and the general public, are encouraged to review the draft and submit written comments, suggestions, or technical inputs at muneeb.cheema∂dra.gov.pk or muneebcheema∂hotmail.com within fifteen days of uploading of above document.

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Requirements for Grant of Drug Manufacturing License by the Way of Basic and Semi-Basic Manufacturing for Blood/Plasma Establishments

Yasir Mahmood Invitation for Comments

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has revised and updated the requirements for Establishment of pharmaceutical unit and also developed new guidance annexure VI (A) for requirements for grant of Drug manufacturing license by way of Basic and semi basic manufacturing for Blood and plasma Establishments in line with DRAP Act 2012, Drug Act 1976 and rules framed there under.
These requirements serve a reference document for the applicants intended to apply for grant of Drug Manufacturing Licenses for Blood/Plasma Establishments by way of basic/semi-basic manufacturing. The requirements aim to facilitate harmonization with international regulatory requirements, enabling Pakistani plasma establishments to meet the stringent standards required by international fractionators and foreign regulatory authorities.
These requirements are applicable to a broad range of entities and activities within the plasma supply chain. All Plasma Establishments that hold Drug Manufacturing Licenses and engage in the collection, testing, processing, storage, or distribution of plasma intended for fractionation must comply with these requirements. This also includes blood establishments that collect whole blood from which plasma is recovered, and plasma warehouses and distribution facilities that handle plasma after collection.
Accordingly, the 3rd version of guidance document titled “ESTABLISHMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL UNIT AND POST LICENSE CHANGES “along with newly drafted Annexure VI ( A) REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT OF DRUG MANUFACTURING LICENSE BY THE WAY OF BASIC & SEMI-BASIC MANUFACTURING FOR BLOOD/ PLASMA ESTABLISHMENTs are uploaded on the official website of DRAP on the 29th of December , 2025 to seek comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft document. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days of uploading this document using the prescribed format. For further guidelines on submitting comments, visit the DRAP website or click here. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to akbar.ali∂dra.pk and drapakbar∂gmail.com or can be posted at the mailing address, Director, Division of Drug Licensing , Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Prime Minister’s National Health Complex, Park Road, Islamabad.

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National Pharmacovigilance Cell (NPC), DRAP released draft Guidelines on National Pharmacovigilance System (Edition 03) seeking comments from stakeholders

Asad Ullah Drugs, General, Invitation for Comments, Pharmacovigilance

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has set up the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) in Islamabad to oversee the safety of medicinal products nationwide. The NPC collaborates with national and international entities to establish an effective pharmacovigilance system in Pakistan. Since 2018, Pakistan has been a full member of the World Health Organization Programme for International Drug Monitoring (WHO-PIDM) based at the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) in Sweden.

The NPC has developed a multi-channel reporting system, including electronic and manual reporting forms available through website and mobile applications for healthcare professionals and the public. The Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, apply a legal obligation of all pharmacovigilance stakeholders to establish their system and report the pharmacovigilance data to NPC.

The 1st edition of these guidelines was drafted as per the draft Pharmacovigilance Rules and had chapters and sections for the guidance of healthcare professionals, patients and registration holders. Subsequently, the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) issued separate guidelines for the above pharmacovigilance stakeholders and also Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022 were officially notified vide S.R.O 540 (I)/2022 dated 22nd April 2022. Therefore, the NPC-issued 2nd edition of guidelines with the title “Guidelines on the National Pharmacovigilance System” which were prepared in line with Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022. All those sections /chapters for the guidance of the above stakeholders were removed and the WHO PV indicators were incorporated in Chapter 11 in the 2nd edition of the guideline. This 3rd edition of these guidelines has been drafted in light of WHO recommendations in the form of Institutional Development Plans (IDP) made during its assessment of the National Regulatory System of the DRAP. As per WHO recommendation and DRAP’s Authority decision, the PRAEC has now been given an advisory role in relation to signal management and risk assessment; whereas, the NPC has been mandated to perform signal management and risk assessment process and to make decisions in the context of risk minimization and recommendation of regulatory actions to concerned Boards and Committees of the DRAP.

These guidelines are uploaded on the official website of DRAP on the 16th of September, 2024 to seek comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft document. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days of uploading this document using the prescribed format. For further guidelines on submitting comments, visit the DRAP website or click here. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to pv∂dra.gov.pk or can be posted at the mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Prime Minister’s National Health Complex, Park Road, Islamabad.

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Guidelines on Standards for Establishment of Hospital Pharmacies is now open for comments.

Mughees Mudassir Invitation for Comments

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan is seeking feedback on proposed guidelines for hospital pharmacies. These standards aim to ensure consistent, high-quality pharmacy services across all hospitals, ultimately benefiting patients and the healthcare system as a whole.

The guidelines cover four key areas:

  1. Hospital Pharmacy Operations which include aspects like organizational structure, staffing, resources, policies, and procedures for managing medications from procurement and storage to dispensing and monitoring.
  2. Medicine Use Management where the focus is on optimizing medication use within the hospital. This involves procedures for medication reconciliation, identifying potential issues, and implementing strategies to improve medication effectiveness and avoid medication-related harm.
  3. Quality Improvement with the believe in continuous improvement! These guidelines outline practices for assessing the effectiveness of hospital pharmacy services, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.
  4. Human Resources Development for ensuring a competent and skilled pharmacy workforce is crucial. The guidelines address training and development programs for all pharmacy personnel, from pharmacists to technicians.

DRAP invites you to review the proposed guidelines and share your thoughts and suggestions. Your input will be invaluable in shaping the final document and ensuring it reflects the needs and expectations of patients, healthcare professionals, and the community.

These guidelines were uploaded on the official website of DRAP on 12th of January, 2024 for 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. For further guidelines on how to submit comments visit DRAP website or click here. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to dir.ps∂dra.gov.pk, copying aqsa.hashmi∂dra.gov.pk, or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

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Stakeholders Comments are invited on the Draft Guidelines for Good Cold Chain Management Practices for Temperature-Sensitive Drug Products

Asad Ullah Drugs, General, Invitation for Comments , , ,

The supply chain of Time and Temperature Sensitive Drug Products (TTSDPs) requires constant maintenance of temperature so that the cold chain remains integral to ensure that the product quality is not compromised. Registration holders of TTSDPs including manufacturers, Importers and exporters along with their authorized distributors, are required to provide suitable storage conditions throughout the life cycle of the product under the Drugs (Licensing, Registering & Advertising) Rules, 1976. Similarly, Pharmacies, Medical stores and other authorized sale outlets, and healthcare institutions are also required to provide suitable storage and distribution while dispensing TTSDPs under relevant provincial drug sale rules.

DRAP has drafted this guidelines to set out the principal requirements for the safe storage and distribution of time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products (TTSDPs). These guidelines intended to emphasize the increased importance of pharmaceutical cold chain management as a result of changing product environment, the requirements for Good Storage and Distribution Practices, current regulatory trends, quality management, risk assessment factors, and temperature monitoring system.

This draft guideline is uploaded on the official website of DRAP dated on 27th March, 2023, for 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. For further guidelines on how to submit comments visit DRAP website or click here. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to ajmal.sohail∂dra.gov.pk, copying at akbar.ali∂dra.gov.pk, or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Quality Assurance & Lab Testing, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, 3rd floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.

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