By News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has permitted clinical trials of plasma therapy to treat coronavirus as well as locally manufactured ventilators, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza announced.
In a statement on Thursday, Dr Mirza also said the regulatory body has allowed the local production of raw material for chloroquine as part of efforts to cope with the coronavirus challenge. Chloroquine has been repeatedly endorsed by US President Donald Trump as a treatment for Covid-19.
Chloroquine is often used for the prevention and treatment of certain types of malaria as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and a few other conditions. The special assistant said DRAP has also allowed the clinical trials of locally manufactured ventilators. “More than 50 companies have been allowed to produce sanitisers to contain the spread of the pandemic,” he said. “The companies will prepare quality sanitisers as per the directions of the World Health Organisation.”
