Biological items import halted

KARACHI: Imports of lifesaving biological products has completely stopped since March 13, causing a shortage of these goods in the market.

The main reason behind this crisis was that the federal government has failed to appoint the signing authority at the National Control Laboratory to approve hundreds of pending lot release applications.

An industry official said companies would need three days to market the backlog of products in case the government gave release orders immediately.

“As many as 25 applications are submitted to NCL daily, but bureaucratic hurdles will further delay supplies of these products to upcountry,” he said.

Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA), in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), urged to look into the matter and streamline the issuance of all pending and new lot release applications being submitted to NCL.

The association said they understand that there is currently no signing authority to process these pending applications; therefore, they look forward to DRAP’s earliest possible action in this matter.