Esting Drug Testing Laboratory is being given the status of Model DTL of Lahore

Lahore: Existing Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) is being given the status of Model DTL of Lahore where international standard facilities of analysis of samples of medicines will be provided. This model laboratory is being designed by British Laboratory Services Institution LGC and Consultancy NESPAK.

A project of setting up of a modern three in one laboratory has been started near Thokar Niaz Baig where facility of analysis of food and agri medicines besides drugs will be provided.

This was stated by Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Jawad Rafiq Malik while presiding over a meeting to review steps regarding establishment of Model Drug Testing Laboratory. Secretary to CM Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Secondary and Primary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan, DG Punjab Food Authority Dr. Sajid Chohan, DG Forensic Laboratories Dr. Tahir Ashraf, Health Specialist Dr. Naeem ud Din Mian, Additional Secretary Drug Control Dr. Muhammad Ameer, officers of NESPAK and Director DTL Shaheen Iqbal were present on the occasion.

The meeting was informed that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, drug testing laboratory in Lahore is being developed by giving the status of model laboratory as a pilot project and its civil works will be conducted by LDA while furniture and other items will be purchased from company supplying these items to forensic lab. Changes will be made as per need in the existing laboratory and modern mechanism will be prepared for completing all phases from receipt of samples of medicines to laboratory analysis.

The meeting was informed that initial work has been started on a three in one laboratory equipped with latest facilities for laboratory analysis of medicines, food and pesticides in Lahore. Javad Rafiq directed that work should be carried out speedily on this project and design presented to plan steering committee till January 7. The meeting was informed that new building of Multan Drug Testing Laboratory has been completed and transformer will be installed within a few days after which, DTL Multan will be shifted to new building.

Similarly, after Faisalabad, DTL Rawalpindi has also been completed while DTL Bahawalpur is under completion. Secretary to CM Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is taking personal interest in the completion of these projects and he has directed to complete model drug testing laboratory and other DTL projects at the earliest so that provision of high quality medicines could be ensured to the people.