PPA raises alarm over use of substandard lab chemicals

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) has raised alarm over the use of substandard chemicals in clinical laboratories across the country, warning that these unregulated reagents compromise diagnostic accuracy and endanger lives.

In an urgent letter to federal and provincial authorities, the association called for immediate inspections and regulatory action to curb the use of unregistered chemicals in medical testing facilities.

The letter exclusively available with The News states that the use of substandard reagents in clinical labs is tantamount to playing with human lives, urging the government to enforce strict quality control measures.

Addressed to health authorities and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), it highlights the widespread use of non-compliant diagnostic reagents, which could lead to inaccurate test results and misdiagnosis.

According to the association, unreliable chemical reagents can obstruct accurate disease diagnosis, making it difficult for physicians to prescribe the correct treatment. It further warned that unregistered and non-validated reagents pose a serious risk, particularly in life-threatening conditions where precise diagnosis is crucial.

The PPA has demanded immediate action from DRAP to identify and eliminate the use of unapproved diagnostic reagents in laboratories. It also urged provincial governments to mobilise drug inspectors for on-site inspections of clinical labs to verify the legality and safety of the chemicals in use.