Release of locally produced and imported supplies are being delayed because the federal government has failed to appoint a signing authority at the National Control Laboratory (NCL) in the past few days who would approve hundreds of pending lots. As a result, thousands of patients in Pakistan continue to suffer because stocks of essential products have now begun depleting in the hospitals across Sindh and K-P. “Tetanus vaccine is produced locally but it is short in the market because its release requires approval from NCL,” he said. “Medical companies prefer imported products because they have already undergone tests prescribed by the World Health Organisation,” said the source. In this regard, Pakistan Chemist and Druggist Association penned a letter to the chief executive officer of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

Source: The Express Tribune April 16, 2020 19:30 UTC